leave him alone

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave him alone" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is usually used to tell someone to stop bothering someone else. For example: "John was getting frustrated by his friend's teasing, so I told him to leave him alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just leave him alone.

The New Yorker

Leave him alone.

The New York Times

Best to leave him alone.

The New York Times - Travel

"Leave him alone," I say.

The New Yorker

I'd leave him alone".

The New Yorker

Then we'd leave him alone.

The Guardian

"Leave him alone," Natalie said, dreamily.

The New Yorker

Why can't everyone leave him alone?

The New Yorker

They should leave him alone.

The New York Times

"Leave him alone!" she cried.

The New York Times

Worse, the prosecutor wouldn't leave him alone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional tone. While "leave him alone" is direct, soften the command if you want to convey empathy. For example, say "He needs space, please leave him alone for now."

Common error

Avoid using "leave him alone" in situations where the issue requires intervention or support. The phrase implies a desire for isolation, which may not be appropriate if the person is in distress or needs help.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave him alone" primarily functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to stop bothering or interfering with another person. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave him alone" is a common imperative used to request someone to stop bothering another person. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While its tone can range from neutral to informal, it is crucial to consider the situation before using it, as it may not be appropriate in emergencies. Alternatives like "let him be" or "give him some space" can be more polite. Remember to be clear about who should stop bothering whom and consider softening the command with empathy if needed. Finally, be aware of the potential misinterpretation of the severity; avoid using "leave him alone" when the situation requires intervention or support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let him be

A shorter, more direct way of saying to not bother someone.

stop bothering him

Focuses on the action of bothering and requests it to cease.

give him some space

Suggests the person needs distance and time to themselves.

quit harassing him

Implies a more severe form of disturbance or bullying.

don't interfere with him

Suggests a request not to get involved in what someone is doing.

lay off him

An informal way to tell someone to stop pressuring or bothering another person.

desist from disturbing him

A more formal way of requesting that someone stops interrupting or bothering another person.

cease contact with him

Indicates a need for all forms of communication or interaction to stop.

allow him some peace

Suggests granting someone quiet and freedom from interruption.

hands off

A terse command to not touch or interfere with someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "leave him alone" in a sentence?

You can use "leave him alone" as a direct request for someone to stop bothering another person. For example, "John was upset, so I told his friend to "leave him alone"."

What's a more polite way to say "leave him alone"?

Alternatives like "give him some space" or "let him be" are generally considered more polite and less confrontational than "leave him alone".

Is "leave her alone" grammatically different from "leave him alone"?

No, the grammatical structure is the same. The only difference is the pronoun used (him/her), which changes the gender of the person being referred to. The imperative function of the phrase remains consistent.

When is it inappropriate to say "leave him alone"?

It's inappropriate to say "leave him alone" when the person needs help or is in a dangerous situation. In such cases, offering assistance or seeking professional help is more suitable.