leave this blank

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave this blank" is a viable part of written English.
It is often used in forms or other documents when a certain section needs to be left blank before being sent in. For example, "Please fill out the attached form and leave the comments section blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Or if they have another gender identity please leave this blank and discuss with your child's school".

The Guardian

You can also leave this blank.

WikiHow

You can either leave this blank, or give your opinion!

WikiHow

If it is a first edition, leave this blank.

WikiHow

Your prices (you can leave this blank until you've read this whole article).

WikiHow

If the bars do not touch, choose a convenient space and leave this blank between the pairs of bars, often from an appropriate beginning point, such as January, or a certain year.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

You may write the dealer stock number in the space provided or you may leave this space blank.

Cornell University

Leave this space blank if you do not have it.

WikiHow

There is no option for NO and therefore leaving this blank assumes that no closure occurred.

BMJ Open

But until someone brings such impressiveness to our attention, we're going to leave this category blank this week.

Huffington Post

It is perfectly acceptable to leave this section blank.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave this blank" in instructions, be precise about which field or section should remain empty to avoid confusion. For instance, "Leave the 'Company Name' field blank if you are applying as an individual."

Common error

Always provide clear criteria for when to "leave this blank". Ambiguity can lead to incorrect form submissions or data entry. If the condition is complex, offer a brief explanation: "Leave this section blank unless you have prior experience."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave this blank" functions as an imperative instruction, commonly used to direct the recipient of a form or document to omit information from a specific field or section. It explicitly tells the user not to write anything in that particular space. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various instructional contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

Academia

21%

News & Media

21%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leave this blank" is a grammatically sound and frequently used instruction, particularly in forms and guides. Ludwig confirms this finding. While it appears across multiple domains, it’s more frequent in wiki articles and academic settings. For best practice, always provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid confusion. Related phrases include "keep this field empty" or "do not fill in this space". Understanding when and how to use "leave this blank" ensures clear communication and accurate completion of documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep this field empty

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the act of not filling the field.

Do not fill in this space

This phrase is a more explicit instruction to avoid writing in the specified area.

Omit this section

This is more suitable when referring to a larger section or segment of a document.

Skip this question

This applies when referring to a question in a survey or form.

Leave this section untouched

This suggests preserving the current state of the section, emphasizing no alteration.

Do not complete this part

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the action of not completing a specific part.

Ignore this item

This indicates that the item is not relevant or necessary to be addressed.

Bypass this area

This suggests moving past the area without interacting with it.

Refrain from writing here

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of abstaining from writing.

Leave this section as is

This instructs to not change the section, whether it's already filled or not.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "leave this blank"?

The phrase "leave this blank" is appropriate when you want to instruct someone to not fill in a particular field, section, or area on a form, document, or survey. It indicates that the information is either not required or not applicable in a specific context.

What are some alternative ways to say "leave this blank"?

You can use alternatives like "keep this field empty", "do not fill in this space", or "omit this section" to instruct someone to leave a space empty, depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "leave this blank" or "do not write here"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "leave this blank" is typically used when referring to a specific field or section in a form, while "do not write here" is more general and can apply to any area where writing is not allowed. The best choice depends on the context.

What happens if I accidentally fill in a section that should be "left blank"?

If you accidentally fill in a section that should be "left blank", it depends on the context. In some cases, it may be ignored; in others, it could cause errors or delays. It's always best to carefully follow the instructions provided and, if unsure, clarify with the relevant authority.