leave off

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase that means to stop something or to leave something out. For example: "I had to leave off the last few chapters of my essay due to the word count limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

spokespeople leave off.

The New Yorker

Leave off champagne, puddings and pastries.

Independent

I didn't leave off any zeros.

The Guardian - Opinion

Did Dylan leave off any obvious titles?

The New Yorker

Leave off him next time, Mr West.

The Guardian

You leave off making boring literary references.

The New York Times - Travel

"Like, how did they leave off these obviously amazing films?

The New York Times

I'll leave off the Pill and see what happens.

The New Yorker

"You might leave off with that grease," Sister said.

The New Yorker

Eventually it might be which to leave off.

The Economist

"You're not going to leave off that, are you?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave off" to mean omit, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being left out. For example, "Leave off unnecessary details to keep the summary concise."

Common error

Avoid using "leave off" in contexts where a more direct command is appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Leave off touching that", use "Stop touching that" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "leave off" primarily functions as a verb of cessation or omission. It indicates either the act of stopping an action or the act of excluding something from a list or consideration. Ludwig provides examples of both usages, confirming its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave off" is a versatile phrasal verb with two primary meanings: to stop doing something or to omit something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, particularly from News & Media and Wiki sources. While it is suitable for neutral contexts, it is crucial to ensure clarity in its application, especially when used in the imperative form. When writing, consider if alternatives like "omit", "exclude", or "stop" might be more precise, depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omit

Focuses on the action of excluding something intentionally.

exclude

Highlights the act of preventing something or someone from being included.

desist

Emphasizes the act of stopping or ceasing an action, often implying a formal or imperative tone.

cease

Implies a more formal or permanent stopping of an action.

discontinue

Suggests stopping something that was previously ongoing, often in a professional context.

halt

Implies an abrupt and immediate stop.

suspend

Indicates a temporary interruption with the possibility of resuming later.

take a break from

Suggests a temporary cessation for rest or recuperation.

refrain from

Emphasizes the act of deliberately avoiding doing something.

hold back on

Indicates a decision to postpone or limit an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave off" to mean to omit something, as in "Leave off the unnecessary details". It can also mean to stop doing something, as in "Leave off teasing your brother".

What does "leave off" mean?

"Leave off" can mean to stop doing something or to omit something. The exact meaning depends on the context of the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "leave off"?

Alternatives to "leave off" include "omit", "exclude", "stop", or "cease", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "leave off of" instead of "leave off"?

No, the correct phrase is "leave off". Adding "of" is grammatically incorrect in this context.