has left behind

USAGE SUMMARY

"has left behind" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something or someone has been abandoned, discarded, or forgotten by someone else. It can be used in both a literal or figurative sense. Example: After his death, he has left behind a legacy of kindness and generosity that will be remembered by everyone who knew him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But what a mess that bubble has left behind!

The New York Times

Snow's life, was to say the least, colourful, and has left behind a fiercely contested legacy.

The Guardian - Arts

DJ and producer Erol Alkan wrote that "the music he has left behind is beautiful".

The Guardian - Music

His son, his job, the notion of justice, even the cat the murdered girl has left behind.   .

Los Angeles Times

But what a legacy he has left behind.

The Guardian

What a wonderful legacy Sima has left behind.

The New York Times

Sir Nicholas Penny has left behind this chaos.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not just her former bandmates she has left behind.

The Guardian - Music

What's the strangest thing anyone has left behind?

The New York Times

That fight has left behind a residue of rage among the public.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Please think about that little girl today and the family and life she has left behind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has left behind" to emphasize the consequences or results of an action or event, highlighting what remains or is affected.

Common error

Avoid using "has left behind" when you intend to describe a future action. Instead, use future tenses like "will leave behind" or "is going to leave behind" for actions that haven't occurred yet.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has left behind" functions as a transitive verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It describes an action completed in the past that has a continuing relevance or result in the present. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has left behind" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts to emphasize the consequences or remaining effects of a past event or action. While its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various writing styles, it's important to use it accurately to reflect the intended meaning of a lasting impact. Remember to consider appropriate tense and avoid future actions when implementing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has bequeathed

Replaces "left behind" with a more formal verb, often used in the context of legacies.

has passed on

Uses a phrasal verb to express the act of leaving something for others.

has created as a legacy

Focuses on the lasting impact of what was left behind.

has abandoned

Emphasizes the act of leaving something without intending to return.

has deserted

Similar to "abandoned", but often implies a moral obligation was broken.

has forsaken

A more poetic or literary term for abandoning.

has generated

Focuses on the creation of something that remains.

has originated

Emphasizes the beginning or source of something that continues to exist.

is responsible for

Shifts the focus to the cause of what remains.

has caused to remain

Highlights the causation of a lasting effect.

FAQs

How can I use "has left behind" in a sentence?

You can use "has left behind" to describe something that remains after someone or something has departed or ceased to exist. For example, "The storm "has left behind" a trail of destruction".

What's the difference between "has left behind" and "left behind"?

"Has left behind" is in the present perfect tense, indicating a past action with present relevance. "Left behind" can be past simple or a past participle, depending on the context. The present perfect often emphasizes the current state resulting from the past action.

What can I say instead of "has left behind"?

You can use alternatives like "has bequeathed", "has passed on", or "has created as a legacy" depending on the context.

Is "having left behind" grammatically correct?

Yes, "having left behind" is the perfect gerund or participle form of the verb phrase. It's used to describe an action that was completed before another action. For example, "Having left behind all his possessions, he started a new life".