leave as is

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave as is" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to leaving something in its current state, without making any changes. For example, "The carpet has some stains, so let's just leave as is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Leave as is.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of course, it's fine to leave as is.

The New York Times

"Leave as is, thank you," Mr. Bruno replied on the memo from Ms. Stackrow.

The New York Times

If you want a smooth filling, blitz it in a food processor, otherwise leave as is.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Leave as is, or brush with egg yolk, and top with slivered almonds or egg white and tinted sugar.

The New York Times - Food

The officer who shot Scott, Brently Vinson, has been placed on administrative leave as is standard procedure in such cases.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some resumes were left as is, whereas others were "whitened".

The Guardian

Things will be left as is," he said.

The Economist

Powder snow is left as is, never groomed.

The New York Times - Travel

This does not mean that it will simply be left as is.

Nuclear Decommissioning, Waste Management, and Environmental Site Remediation

For example, a document bearing the date February 3, 1675/6 is left as is.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing options, clearly contrast leaving something 'as is' with alternative actions. This helps the audience understand the implications of each choice.

Common error

Don't assume that "leave as is" implies a lack of action or decision. It's a conscious choice to maintain the status quo, not necessarily an endorsement of it. Clarify the reasoning behind this choice if there's a risk of misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave as is" functions primarily as an imperative, instructing the recipient to maintain the current state of something. Ludwig's examples show its common usage in directives and instructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave as is" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to instruct that something should remain unchanged. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, academia, and how-to guides. While generally neutral in tone, its specific meaning hinges on the surrounding context. Related phrases such as "leave unchanged" offer nuanced alternatives. It's crucial to remember that "leave as is" represents a conscious choice to maintain the status quo, not simply passive acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave unchanged

Emphasizes the act of not altering something from its original state.

maintain as is

Focuses on preserving the current condition over time.

keep as is

Similar to maintain, highlighting the action of retaining the present form.

retain as is

Stresses the act of keeping something in its existing form without modification.

preserve as is

Implies an effort to protect and maintain the current state from degradation or change.

let it stand

Suggests allowing something to remain in its current condition without intervention.

leave untouched

Emphasizes the absence of any physical or manual alteration.

do not modify

A more formal instruction indicating that no changes should be made.

as it stands

Refers to the current state or condition of something.

in its present form

Highlights the current condition or appearance of something.

FAQs

How do I use "leave as is" in a sentence?

You can use "leave as is" to indicate that something should not be changed. For example, "The document is fine; just "leave as is"." or "If you prefer a chunky filling, "leave as is"; otherwise, blend it."

What can I say instead of "leave as is"?

Alternatives to "leave as is" include "leave unchanged", "maintain as is", or "keep as is", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "leave as is"?

"Leave as is" is appropriate when you want to specify that no modifications should be made to something, whether it's a physical object, a digital file, or a procedure. It's often used in instructions, warnings, or explanations.

Is "leave as is" formal or informal?

"Leave as is" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall situation.