it left them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it left them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has caused a change in the state or feelings of a group of people. Example: "The unexpected news was shocking, and it left them speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It left them alone.

The New Yorker

And it left them steaming.

The New York Times - Sports

It left them 19th in the table.

The Times

It left them feeling furious and betrayed.

The New York Times

It left them with two different strategies, right?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It left them without any real bargaining power.

The New Yorker

It left them battle-hardened and an effective, cohesive unit.

The New York Times - Sports

It left them with too little to stand on.

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow it left them with no choice but to talk.

The Guardian

Instead, it left them floundering to stay afloat.

The New Yorker

"It left them with no reserves to draw on again," Ms. Johnson said, "so it left them with reduced flexibility".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it left them", ensure that the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific subject or event mentioned previously in the sentence or paragraph to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it left them" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the reader knows exactly what "it" refers to, or the sentence can become confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it left them" functions as a clause element, specifically describing the consequence or result of a previous action or event on a group of people. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase effectively communicates the impact or effect experienced by the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it left them" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe the consequences of an action or event on a group of individuals. As indicated by Ludwig, this expression appears most frequently in News & Media, with additional usage in Academia. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for various contexts. Therefore, writers should feel confident using "it left them" to clearly and concisely convey the impact of a given situation, while ensuring that the antecedent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it made them

A more concise way of indicating a transformation or state change.

it caused them to be

Emphasizes causation more directly than the original phrase.

it resulted in them being

Highlights the consequence or outcome of a situation.

consequently, they became

Highlights the logical sequence of events and the resulting transformation.

the consequence for them was

Similar to "it resulted in them being" but slightly more formal.

they were then

Focuses on the resulting state from their perspective.

it rendered them

Suggests a more significant change in state or condition.

as a result, they felt

Specifically describes the emotional impact of something.

they were influenced to

Highlights the influence on their subsequent actions or decisions.

the effect on them was

More formal, emphasizing the impact on a group.

FAQs

How can I use "it left them" in a sentence?

Use "it left them" to describe the result or consequence of a particular event or situation on a group of people. For example, "The sudden closure of the factory "it left them" unemployed and uncertain about their future."

What can I say instead of "it left them"?

You can use alternatives like "it caused them", "it resulted in them", or "it made them" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it left they" instead of "it left them"?

No, "it left they" is grammatically incorrect. The correct pronoun to use is "them", as it is the objective form of "they" and is needed as the object of the verb "left".

What's the difference between "it left them" and "it had left them"?

"It left them" implies a more immediate or recent impact, while "it had left them" suggests the impact occurred in the past and might have lasting effects. The latter uses the past perfect tense to indicate that the action was completed before a certain point in time.