leave in place

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave in place" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to leave something as it is, without making changes to it. For example: "The company decided to leave the policy in place for the time being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the state measure would leave in place tougher rules in places like Suffolk and Westchester.

The New York Times

Carbon the U.S. or Australia decide to leave in place is carbon you know won't be in the atmosphere.

The New York Times

It would also leave in place the current provisions governing individual freedoms, which civil rights advocates consider adequate if enforced.

The New York Times

Indeed, it would leave in place the most liberal attorney general America has seen in recent memory.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

The bill would also leave in place an earnings limit on people who claim early retirement benefits from Social Security.

The New York Times

Her vote managed to leave in place those infamous tax cuts: the ones benefiting only the wealthiest Americans!

The New York Times

"With the family unit threatened," he writes, "barriers of any sort were too risky to leave in place".

The New York Times - Books

For the school board, a dismissal would leave in place a lower-court decision in which it lost.

The New Yorker

The changes will leave in place most of the management team that guided the unit through this summer's market turbulence.

The New York Times

Sony said it would leave in place the management of Grouper, which is based in Sausalito, Calif.

The New York Times - Tech

It would leave in place the cost control measures in the health reform bill and go even further to reward the quality of care rather than the volume.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "leave in place" a component during a repair or assembly, be specific about which component you are referring to. For example: "Leave the bracket in place while tightening the screws."

Common error

Avoid using "leave in place" when you actually intend to temporarily leave something for a later action. "Leave in place" suggests a more permanent decision not to alter something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave in place" functions as a verb phrase that typically acts as a directive or instruction. It signifies a decision or order to maintain the current state or position of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave in place" is a common verb phrase used to instruct or advise that something should not be moved or altered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and general contexts, making it a versatile phrase. Related phrases include "let stand" and "maintain the status quo". When using this phrase, ensure the scope is clear and that it accurately reflects a decision not to modify something, as confirmed by examples from Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let stand

Suggests allowing something to remain in its current condition or validity.

keep as is

A more informal way of saying to leave something unchanged.

keep intact

Focuses on maintaining the completeness or wholeness of something.

maintain the status quo

Focuses on preserving the existing conditions or state of affairs.

keep unaltered

Emphasizes the lack of change or modification.

retain in position

Emphasizes the physical aspect of keeping something in its current location.

not disturb

Indicates avoiding any interference or alteration.

preserve untouched

Highlights the idea of keeping something in its original and unaltered state.

sustain without modification

Stresses the continuation of something in its present form.

hold steady

Implies preventing movement or change.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave in place" to indicate that something should remain as it is, without being moved or changed. For example, "Leave the scaffolding in place until the painting is finished".

What is an alternative to "leave in place"?

Alternatives to "leave in place" include "let stand", "keep intact", or "maintain the status quo" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "leave it in place" instead of "leave in place"?

Yes, "leave it in place" is grammatically correct and often used when referring to a specific object or item. "Leave in place" is more general.

What does "leave in place" imply?

"Leave in place" implies a conscious decision not to alter or remove something, often because it is functional, necessary, or best left undisturbed.