leaves it already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaves it already" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that something has already been left or abandoned, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "He leaves it already on the table, so I assume he doesn't want it anymore."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored two-thirds of that total, got none Saturday, and Real got nothing in a 1-0 defeathatat leaves it already eight points behind Barcelona a month into the new season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rates on such loans rose so fast that some feared the market could essentially close, leaving it to already-stressed banks to provide short-term corporate loans.

The New York Times

When Jack departed the show for good in 1962 — having left it temporarily once already — it was predicted that "Tonight" would die on the vine.

The New York Times

He spoke of concerns that some attendees would push for a UN agency to "run the internet" rather than leaving it to groups already "doing a good job".

BBC

Most writers who leave their country physically have already left it mentally and emotionally.

The New York Times

Carnegie received a message from the NHK Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo that it had already left; it is scheduled to play next Monday at Carnegie, conducted by André Previn.

The New York Times - Arts

But if the country retreats from the Common Core reforms, it will be surrendering the field to competitors that have already left it behind in math and science education, which are essential to participation in the 21st-century work force.

The New York Times

President Xi Jinping had been visiting Xinjiang (if he had already left, it was at most a few hours earlier) when an unspecified number of assailants staged their early evening attack just outside the station using knives and explosives.

The Economist

For one thing, the revised trio's opening, simultaneously melancholy and exhilarating and resolute and balanced, sounds ripely mature, but Brahms had actually left it intact; he was already "late" when he was 20.

The New York Times - Arts

And there she would happily have left it – but it was already being reported in New York, so she spoke to a Finnish journalist to put her side of things on record, and his story ran in the Helsinki Times.

The Guardian - Music

So it may be the case that you have already left it too late.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "leaves it already" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "has already left it" or "already abandoned it".

Common error

The error in "leaves it already" often stems from incorrect word order and tense usage. Ensure the auxiliary verb "has" is used with "left" to indicate a completed action, resulting in the correct phrase, "has already left it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaves it already" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey that something has been abandoned or departed from. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase's structure is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaves it already" is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure is non-standard. Although some instances appear across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business, it's best to use clearer and more conventional alternatives like "has already left it" or "already abandoned it" to ensure effective communication. Stick to established grammatical structures to avoid confusion and maintain credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has already left it

Emphasizes the completed action of leaving something behind.

already abandoned it

Focuses on the act of deserting or giving up on something.

already departed from it

Implies a formal or definitive departure.

has left it behind already

Reorders the phrase to create a more conventional structure, emphasizing the state of being left behind.

already relinquished it

Stresses the act of surrendering or giving up control.

it has already been left

Changes the structure to a passive voice.

it's already been abandoned

Passive voice emphasizing abandonment.

they've already finished with it

Focuses on the completion of an action related to "it".

it was left earlier

Specifies the time of leaving.

already walked away from it

Suggests physically and figuratively distancing oneself.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "leaves it already"?

Consider using phrases like "has already left it" or "already abandoned it", depending on the intended context.

Is "leaves it already" considered proper English?

No, the phrase "leaves it already" is not considered proper English. It's better to use more conventional phrases such as "has already left it".

How can I avoid using awkward phrases like "leaves it already" in my writing?

Focus on using correct tense and word order. For example, instead of "leaves it already", use "has already left it", which is grammatically correct and clear.

What's the difference between "leaves it already" and "has already left it"?

The phrase "leaves it already" is grammatically incorrect, while "has already left it" is the correct way to express that something has been abandoned or departed from.