leach out

USAGE SUMMARY

'leach out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a process of something leaving a substance due to a type of drainage. For example, "Due to the heavy rains, the toxins from the waste began to leach out into the nearby river".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Large amounts of fresh water will leach out the salt.

The New York Times

The excess liquid will leach out, leaving yoghurt of a very thick consistency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They can also leach out substances of concern such as phthalates.

The Guardian

"After the poles have been standing awhile, the creosote begins to drain downward and leach out at the base.

The New Yorker

With the first one, it took about six months for it to leach out across the country.

The New Yorker

Next, they will soak them in water that must be changed three times in order to leach out starch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Old, scratched, or cracked containers, or those that have been microwaved many times, may leach out more plasticizers.

Harvard University

Other research suggests these chemicals can leach out of plastic food packaging and can contaminate highly processed food.

University of California, Berkeley

Many plastics contain chemical additives, such as plasticisers, dyes, and antimicrobials, which can leach out into sediments and seawater.

The Guardian

During pregnancy, lead stored in a woman's bones can leach out, get into her blood and injure the fetus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The structure was sonicated to leach-out the NaCl particles and was dried.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the removal of unwanted substances from soil or materials, use "leach out" to precisely convey the gradual extraction process.

Common error

Avoid using "leach out" interchangeably with verbs like "drain" or "seep" when you specifically want to emphasize the extraction of a soluble substance due to a liquid medium. Using the wrong word could imply a general flow instead of a chemical process.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "leach out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing the process by which a soluble constituent is removed from a solid material by a percolating liquid. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in describing this drainage-related process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "leach out" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly describes the extraction of a soluble substance from a solid material via a liquid. Its purpose is to communicate a specific process of removal, often related to environmental science or chemistry. While generally neutral in register, its technical nature lends itself more to formal writing. When using "leach out", remember to focus on the process of extraction by a liquid medium to accurately convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissolve out

Focuses on the process of something dissolving and being removed.

drain away

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance of something, typically a liquid.

seep out

Suggests a slow and gradual leakage or outflow.

filter out

Highlights the removal of something through a filtering process.

extract

Implies a more deliberate and forceful removal of a substance.

release

Focuses on the act of setting something free or allowing it to escape.

escape

Highlights the movement of a substance out of a contained area.

discharge

Implies a release or emission, often in a controlled or regulated manner.

emit

Suggests the sending out of something, such as light, heat, or a substance.

ooze out

Conveys the idea of something slowly and thickly flowing out.

FAQs

How is "leach out" used in a sentence?

You can use "leach out" to describe substances being removed from a material by a liquid. For instance, "The rain caused minerals to "leach out" of the soil."

What is a synonym for "leach out"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "leach out" include "dissolve out", "drain away", or "seep out". Each carries slightly different nuances.

What does "leach out" mean in a scientific context?

In science, "leach out" typically refers to the process where a solvent removes soluble constituents from a solid material. For example, "Acid rain can "leach out" heavy metals from contaminated soil."

Is it correct to say "leach out" or "leach"?

Both "leach" and "leach out" can be correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Leach" can be used transitively or intransitively, while "leach out" is typically used intransitively to emphasize the extraction or removal aspect.