leave it untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave it untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something should not be changed or altered. For example, "The recipe is perfect, so let's leave it untouched."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Barclays, for example, offers a Family Springboard mortgage which would help you get a 95% mortgage if you were able to put down a 5% deposit and your father could pay the equivalent of 10% of the purchase price of the property into its Helpful Start savings account and leave it untouched for at least three years.

The Guardian - Money

Leave it untouched, and no one would listen to it.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, Ms. Caserta said: "We wanted to leave it untouched.

The New York Times - Arts

A better alternative for many, planners say, is to open a relatively small home-equity line of credit and leave it untouched until a true emergency arises.

The New York Times

"You can grab this handle and bring the people with you to Albany," he offered, raising the bat to his shoulder, "or you can leave it untouched and run the risk of having it wielded against you".

The New York Times

The judge could reduce the sentence, leave it untouched or set a new sentencing hearing on the defendant's 25th birthday, at which time a final decision would be made.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Or else, he leaves it untouched".Do you make this from a zavarka?

The Economist

Ahmad stashed away his first draft, leaving it untouched for three decades.

The Guardian - Books

Served a turkey -- by Louise Beavers, no less -- the crooner leaves it untouched.

The New York Times

Let's not throw away our chances by leaving it untouched in our toolbox.

The Guardian

I then left it untouched for a while, and there were a few months of editing, so all in all about 18 months.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone on a delicate or sensitive matter, use "leave it untouched" to emphasize the importance of not interfering, especially when intervention could cause unintended harm.

Common error

Avoid using "leave it untouched" in simple contexts where more direct language would suffice. For example, instead of saying "leave the book untouched", simply say "don't touch the book" if the context is straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave it untouched" functions primarily as an imperative, advising or instructing someone to refrain from altering something. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in contexts ranging from financial advice to artistic preservation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave it untouched" is a grammatically correct phrase advising against altering something, often to preserve its original state or avoid unintended harm. Ludwig highlights its use across various contexts, from news and media to wikis and scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid overusing it in simple situations where more direct language would be preferable. Consider alternatives like "leave it as is" or "keep it intact" for subtle nuances. Overall, the phrase is a valid and valuable part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave it unaltered

Similar to "leave it untouched", this emphasizes that no modifications should be made.

leave it as is

This alternative emphasizes the current state and suggests maintaining it without changes.

keep it intact

This alternative focuses on preserving the original condition or structure of something.

leave it undisturbed

This alternative highlights the idea of allowing something to remain in its current state without any interference.

refrain from altering it

This alternative is a more formal way of saying not to change something.

keep it in its original form

Highlights the importance of maintaining the original condition or appearance.

avoid tampering with it

This alternative suggests caution and advises against meddling with something.

leave it pristine

This emphasizes maintaining something in its original, untouched, and perfect condition.

keep it unedited

This alternative is specific to content or documents, meaning not to make any revisions or changes.

leave it immaculate

Similar to 'leave it pristine', but emphasizes cleanness and freedom from flaws.

FAQs

How can I use "leave it untouched" in a sentence?

You can use "leave it untouched" to advise against altering something, as in, "The original manuscript is perfect; let's "leave it untouched"."

What does "leave it untouched" mean?

"Leave it untouched" means to refrain from changing, altering, or modifying something. It implies preserving the original state.

Are there formal alternatives to "leave it untouched"?

Yes, formal alternatives include phrases like "refrain from altering it" or "maintain its original form". These are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "leave it untouched" and "leave it alone"?

While both suggest non-interference, "leave it alone" can sometimes imply a sense of annoyance or impatience, while ""leave it untouched"" typically focuses on preservation and avoiding alteration.