leave them alone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave them alone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to stop bothering or interfering with others. Example: "If they want to be by themselves, just leave them alone and let them have their space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Leave them alone," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Leave them alone," she said.

The New York Times

I just leave them alone.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then, just leave them alone.

The New York Times

His prescription: Leave them alone!

The New York Times - Arts

Otherwise, please leave them alone.

The New York Times

Leave them alone, Waldemar.

The Guardian - Arts

Leave them alone, leave them alone in all circumstances".

Independent

Leave them alone in all circumstances".

Independent

"They knew to leave them alone.

The New York Times

I pretty much leave them alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave them alone" when you want to advise someone to stop interfering or bothering others. It implies respecting someone's need for space or privacy.

Common error

Avoid using "leave them alone" in situations where someone requires help or support. The phrase implies non-interference, which can be misinterpreted as neglect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave them alone" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to cease interaction or interference with a specified group. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to advise or command non-intervention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave them alone" is a grammatically correct and frequently used imperative phrase that advises someone to stop interfering with others. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is appropriate across various contexts, most commonly in News & Media and Wiki articles, with a neutral to informal register. While generally a good choice for instructing non-interference, be mindful of contexts where support is needed, as misinterpreting this command as abandonment can be a critical error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let them be

This alternative is a more concise way of saying "leave them alone", focusing on allowing someone to exist without interference.

give them space

This alternative emphasizes providing physical or emotional distance.

don't bother them

This alternative directly advises against disturbing or interrupting someone.

stay away from them

This suggests a more proactive avoidance of interaction.

keep your distance

Similar to 'give them space', this emphasizes maintaining separation.

hands off

A more informal and direct way of saying "do not touch or interfere".

let them handle it

This suggests allowing someone to manage a situation independently.

mind your own business

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of disapproval regarding interference.

cease and desist

A formal and legalistic way of demanding someone stop an action.

refrain from interfering

A more formal way of advising against involvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave them alone" to advise someone to stop bothering others, such as, "If they want to be by themselves, just "leave them alone" and let them have their space."

What can I say instead of "leave them alone"?

You can use alternatives like "let them be", "give them space", or "don't bother them" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "leave them alone"?

It is appropriate to use ""leave them alone"" when you want to suggest that someone should not interfere with others or when you want to respect someone's privacy.

What's the difference between "leave them alone" and "let them be"?

"Leave them alone" is a direct instruction to stop interfering, while "let them be" suggests acceptance and allowing someone to exist without interference. Both suggest non-interference but ""leave them alone"" carries a stronger imperative tone.