leave room for

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave room for" is correct and usable in written English.
This expression is usually used to indicate that something should be left undone or unfinished to allow for something else to be done. For example: "I would like to plan a surprise dinner, so please leave room for me to do that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Leave room for sex".

The New Yorker

The changes also leave room for Islamists.

The New York Times

Shall I leave room for milk?

The New Yorker

However, prior measures leave room for extensions.

Telecommunications Policy

"Hey, leave room for ice.

The New Yorker

And leave room for dessert.

The New York Times

SHOULD we really leave room for desserts?

The New York Times - Food

The regulations leave room for stylistic differences.

The New York Times - Food

"Leave room for elephants," our guide says.

The Guardian - Travel

But it does leave room for discretion.

The Guardian

But even those caveats leave room for interpretation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning, always "leave room for" unexpected events or changes to avoid rigid constraints.

Common error

Avoid over-planning to the point where you don't "leave room for" spontaneity or adaptation; rigid plans can lead to missed opportunities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave room for" primarily functions as a verb phrase, suggesting the act of reserving or allowing space, time, or opportunity for something else to occur. Ludwig examples highlight its use in diverse contexts, from physical arrangements to abstract planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave room for" is a versatile phrase used to suggest allowing space, time, or flexibility for something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent usage across news, wiki, and scientific sources indicates its wide applicability. Remember to use this phrase to advise provision, ensure flexibility, or prevent constraints, but be mindful of over-planning and inflexibility. Alternatives like "allow space for" or "make way for" can be used depending on the specific context. Be cautious with over-planning and not allowing space for spontaneous changes. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "leave room for" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow space for

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical space to accommodate something.

create space for

Focuses on actively generating room or possibilities.

set aside room for

Suggests a deliberate action of allocating space.

make way for

Implies clearing an obstruction or creating space by displacement.

reserve space for

Highlights the act of keeping a space available.

allocate space for

Implies a formal distribution of space for a specific purpose.

keep space available for

Emphasizes maintaining a space ready for future use.

provide an opportunity for

Focuses on creating chances or possibilities.

provide scope for

Indicates providing a range or extent of opportunity.

accommodate

A single word meaning to provide lodging or space.

FAQs

How can I use "leave room for" in a sentence?

You can use "leave room for" to suggest allowing space, time, or flexibility for something. For instance, "When packing, "leave room for souvenirs"."

What's a similar phrase to "leave room for"?

Similar phrases include "allow space for", "make way for", or "provide an opportunity for", which all imply creating space or possibilities.

Is it better to say "leave room for" or "make space for"?

Both "leave room for" and "make space for" are correct and often interchangeable. "Make space for" might emphasize active creation of space, while "leave room for" suggests reserving existing space. The choice depends on the specific context.

Can "leave room for" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, "leave room for" can apply to abstract concepts like ideas, changes, or growth. For example, "The plan should "leave room for change" and adaptation."