leave a gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave a gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to create or maintain a space or interval between items, ideas, or actions. Example: "When arranging the chairs for the event, please leave a gap between each one to allow for easy movement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I leave a gap," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

leave a gap before or behind to drive through?

The New Yorker

As the baby boom cohort ages, they will leave a gap that subsequent cohorts cannot fill.

Princeton University

Just leave a gap here in your notes because we're going to come back to this.

Yale University

Eliminating a chief source of capital could leave a gap in the fund-raising landscape.

The New York Times

"Every other option, in the view of the nuclear weaponeers, would leave a gap," the former senior intelligence official said.

The New Yorker

"Leave a gap," Robinson instructed, as if he were a mob don talking to his getaway driver.

The New Yorker

Leave a gap the width of half of a triangle (13cm in this instance) between each piece.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. Make sure you don't leave a gap between your bike and the stand when locking it.

The Guardian

People form mental structures of the world, and debunking a misconception can leave a gap in those structures.

The Guardian

Trees were also added to the plans to encircle the site and not leave a gap that created a crescent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to assemble objects, use "leave a gap" to ensure proper spacing and prevent overcrowding or functional issues.

Common error

Avoid using "leave a gap" when the context requires a precise measurement or dimension. In such cases, specify the exact distance or space needed instead of relying on an ambiguous instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave a gap" functions as an imperative, directing someone to create or maintain space. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from physical arrangements to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

29%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave a gap" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to instruct or advise on creating space, whether physical or conceptual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. While very common across various source types, including news, wikis and academia it is recommended to specify exact measurements when precision is needed. Alternatives such as "create a space" or "maintain a distance" may be preferred in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave space

A shorter, more direct way of saying to create an empty area.

create a space

This alternative focuses on the action of making an area intentionally.

maintain a distance

This emphasizes keeping objects or ideas separated from each other.

keep apart

This suggests keeping items or concepts separate.

allow clearance

This focuses on ensuring enough room for movement or operation.

provide an interval

This highlights the act of offering a break or space in time or sequence.

make an allowance

This indicates permitting a certain degree of variation or space.

retain a buffer

This phrase implies keeping an extra amount or space for safety or flexibility.

preserve a margin

This emphasizes keeping a boundary or edge clear.

hold back

This suggests keeping something physically or conceptually separate.

FAQs

How can I use "leave a gap" in a sentence?

You can use "leave a gap" to instruct someone to create space between objects, ideas, or steps. For example, "Leave a gap between the shelves to fit larger books."

What is a more formal way to say "leave a gap"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "maintain a distance" or "provide clearance" to convey the same meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "leave a gap"?

While generally correct, using "leave a gap" might be too vague when precise measurements are needed. In such cases, specify the exact measurement required, instead.

What alternatives exist for "leave a gap" when discussing abstract concepts?

When dealing with abstract concepts, alternatives like "allow for discrepancies" or "provide leeway" might be more appropriate than "leave a gap".