leave a sign

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave a sign" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is often used to suggest leaving proof that something has been done or happened. For example, you could say: "Before leaving for the day, the construction workers made sure to leave a sign that they had been on the site."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We should leave a sign here, otherwise it will all be forgotten," Mr. Giammona said.

The New York Times

If you would like to leave a sign of respect please feel free to donate to her fundraising page".

The Guardian

In the digital age, when a manufactured look is so easy to do, you always have to leave a sign that it was done by human hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Mine, without my knowing, starts not long ago, in a hospital ward, as the last of my family dies… I need to leave a sign of their passage".

The Guardian - Books

"One of my guests was clever enough to tie a piece of gift ribbon to the lever in the tank and leave a sign telling people to pull it.

The New York Times - Style

The model sentences went from "I understand, your excellency the president" to "Irhal!" or "Leave!" — a sign often brandished by protesters — to "Uff, you're still here!" The show also mocked a private Saudi-owned satellite channel for sticking with programs like "Arabs Got Talent" while most other networks broadcast live from the uprisings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In the proposed scheme with anonymous signers, a signer may participate in several different signing groups and may join or leave a signing group dynamically in a secure and efficient manner.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

However, mediums who have available appointments may leave a sign-up sheet on their porches for walk-up clients.

Huffington Post

Dear BP, please leave a signed, blank check under the mat.

Los Angeles Times

In 1942, a lonely GI working on the highway started the tradition of leaving a sign pointing the way home.

The Guardian - Travel

A contractor for Deutsche Bank, Field Asset Services, left a sign tacked to the front door, so the Roughts contacted them and said a mistake had been made.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave a sign" when you want to emphasize the act of providing an indication or proof of an action or event. Be mindful of the context, as the sign can be literal (a physical marker) or figurative (evidence or a clue).

Common error

Avoid using "leave a sign" when a more direct and explicit statement is needed. Overuse in contexts where a simple explanation would suffice can sound indirect or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave a sign" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically involves the action of leaving some form of marker, indication, or evidence. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from physical markers to symbolic gestures. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave a sign" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote the action of providing an indication, evidence, or reminder. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard English grammar and finds application across varied domains. While predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, its communicative purpose centers on providing information and documenting events. The best practice for employing the phrase involves considering the literal or figurative nature of the sign, while avoiding overuse in instances where directness is preferred. Related phrases like "leave an indication" or "leave evidence" offer alternative means of conveying a similar message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave an indication

Replaces "sign" with a more general term for a clue or hint.

leave a marker

Specifies the "sign" as something that marks a place or event.

leave evidence

Focuses on the aspect of providing proof or substantiation.

leave a trace

Highlights the idea of leaving a visible or detectable mark.

leave a clue

Emphasizes the function of the "sign" as a hint for discovery.

provide a signal

Changes the action from "leave" to "provide", focusing on the act of giving information.

set a reminder

Focuses on the function of helping someone remember something.

post a notice

Specifies the "sign" as a formal announcement or warning.

drop a hint

Implies a subtle or indirect indication.

record the event

Shifts the focus to documenting an occurrence for posterity.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave a sign" to indicate that someone has left evidence or an indication of their presence or actions. For example, "We should "leave a sign" here, otherwise it will all be forgotten."

What does it mean to "leave a sign"?

To "leave a sign" means to provide some form of indication, evidence, or reminder of something that has occurred or that someone has been present. It can be literal, like leaving a physical marker, or figurative, like leaving a clue.

What can I say instead of "leave a sign"?

You can use alternatives like "leave an indication", "leave a marker", or "leave evidence" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "leave a sign"?

It's appropriate to use "leave a sign" when you want to highlight the action of providing some form of indication or evidence, especially when that sign serves as a reminder or a clue for others. The phrase is suitable in both literal and figurative contexts.