leave a trace

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave a trace" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe leaving behind evidence of something that happened. For example: "The hikers left a trace of their journey with the maps they had drawn along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To dwell is to leave a trace.

The New Yorker

And they don't leave a trace.

The New Yorker

They immediately break down before they can leave a trace.

The New York Times - Science

Of course, no one really disappears now; we all leave a trace.

The New York Times

Why would someone who tried to erase his identity leave a trace of one?

The New Yorker

Badreddine did, however, leave a trace as Sammi Issa, his most common alias.

The New Yorker

"We couldn't sit by and not do anything when this proposal came, that would definitely leave a trace".

The New York Times

The young artist is almost absurdly rigorous in his refusal to let his works leave a trace.

The New York Times

"It's really hard to decipher behavior from the fossil record because behavior doesn't usually leave a trace," Mr. Makovicky said.

The New York Times

(source) Now: "a unique set of characteristics, actions, etc., that leave a trace and serve as a means of identification".

Independent

Last month, she once again publicly took on her trolls who, on this occasion, had attacked her appearance in the video for Chvrches' new single "Leave a Trace".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing digital activities, use "leave a trace" to highlight how online actions, even those intended to be private, can often be tracked or recovered. For example: "Using a VPN is advisable if you don't want to "leave a trace" of your browsing history."

Common error

Avoid using "leave a track" when you mean "leave a trace". A "track" implies a continuous path, while a "trace" refers to a single, often subtle, piece of evidence. For instance, say "The experiment did "leave a trace" of radiation", not "The experiment did "leave a track" of radiation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave a trace" functions primarily as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase. It describes the action of causing some evidence or sign to remain after an event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave a trace" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the action of leaving behind evidence or a lasting impact. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is used across a wide range of contexts, but predominantly in news and media, science, and academia. When writing, be mindful not to confuse "trace" with "track". Related phrases include "leave a mark", "leave evidence", and "leave a footprint", each offering a slightly different nuance. Remember that even seemingly insignificant actions can "leave a trace", highlighting the importance of awareness and responsibility in both the physical and digital realms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave a mark

Highlights the action of creating a visible or noticeable effect.

leave evidence

Directly indicates the presence of proof or indication of something.

leave an imprint

Focuses on the figurative sense of leaving a lasting impact, similar to an impression.

leave a footprint

Implies a recognizable and unique sign of presence or activity.

leave behind signs

Emphasizes the act of unintentionally abandoning evidence.

leave an indication

Focuses on providing a sign or hint of something's existence or passage.

create a residue

Highlights the aspect of leaving something tangible or intangible behind.

leave a vestige

Suggests that the trace is a surviving bit of something that no longer exists.

establish a record

Implies creating something intentionally that acts as a lasting proof.

bequeath a legacy

Focuses on the impact or influence that continues after one is gone.

FAQs

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

Use "leave a trace" to indicate that an action or event has left behind evidence or a lasting impact. For example, "The meteor shower did "leave a trace" on the atmosphere".

What does it mean to "leave a trace"?

To "leave a trace" means to create some form of evidence or indication that something existed or occurred. It can be physical or metaphorical, such as "leave an imprint".

What's a good alternative to "leave a trace"?

Alternatives to "leave a trace" include "leave a mark", "leave evidence", or "leave a footprint", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it possible to not "leave a trace"?

In some contexts, such as digital activity, it's difficult not to "leave a trace", as every action may be recorded. However, in other scenarios, taking precautions can minimize or eliminate any signs of presence.