leaving a gap of

USAGE SUMMARY

"leaving a gap of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the difference between two events or items. For example, "After ten years of teaching history, she retired, leaving a gap of expertise that will be hard to replace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

But she said no more, leaving a gap of silence that seemed to trouble Stephens.

The New York Times - Sports

The union has offered to accept a reduction of $2.5 million, leaving a gap of $700,000.

The New York Times - Sports

In the 2010 fiscal year, the government is projected to collect $2.2 trillion in taxes and spend $3.6 trillion, leaving a gap of $1.4 trillion.

The New York Times

Johnson asks her class: "What does Atticus say about mockingbirds?" After leaving a gap of several seconds, she takes an answer.

The Guardian

After the election, the state oversight agency ruled that most of the legislature's budget fixes were either unacceptable or insufficiently documented, leaving a gap of $45 million.

The New York Times

The I.O.C. has nine international sponsors out of 11 possible categories, leaving a gap of about $30 million in revenue that the organizing committee had expected to receive.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

That leaves a gap of roughly one percentage point requiring explanation.

The Economist

Mr. Cowell's departure leaves a gap of withering directness that will be almost impossible to fill.

The New York Times - Arts

Given 2011's missed target that leaves a gap of close to €40 billion to be filled.

The Economist

Of a projected deficit of more than $9 billion, the official said, that left a gap of about $1.7 billion to be met with further cuts, new taxes or borrowing.

The New York Times

I probably left a gap of a 400th of a second for the audience to react before I started the next joke.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaving a gap of", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being left out or what deficiency is being created. Be specific about the size or nature of the gap to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving a gap of" without providing sufficient context about the scale or importance of the gap. For example, instead of saying "The budget was reduced, leaving a gap of funds", specify the amount: "The budget was reduced by 20%, leaving a gap of $50,000, which may affect project timelines."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving a gap of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, often indicating the result of an action (such as reducing, cutting, or removing something). It describes the quantity or extent of the deficiency created by that action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's generally used correctly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving a gap of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe a deficiency or difference resulting from an action or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicates its versatility. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context regarding the scale and nature of the gap to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""creating a void of"" or ""resulting in a deficit of"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating a void of

Uses 'void' to emphasize emptiness or lack, which may imply a more significant absence than just a 'gap'.

resulting in a deficit of

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of the deficiency, especially in financial or numerical contexts.

producing a shortfall of

Implies that the amount left is insufficient for a particular need or requirement.

generating a space of

Highlights the creation of physical or abstract space.

causing an interval of

Emphasizes the temporal or spatial distance between two points or events.

making an omission of

Focuses on the act of intentionally or unintentionally leaving something out.

establishing a margin of

Suggests the deliberate creation of space or difference, often for safety or flexibility.

opening an opportunity for

Implies that the gap allows a chance or possibility.

leaving an opening for

Implies that the gap allows a chance or possibility.

yielding a divide of

Highlights the difference that results from separation, which is applicable for a more abstract concept.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving a gap of" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving a gap of" to describe a difference or deficiency between two quantities, states, or periods. For example, "The funding cuts are "leaving a gap of" $1 million in the research budget".

What are some alternatives to "leaving a gap of"?

Alternatives include "creating a void of", "resulting in a deficit of", or "producing a shortfall of", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "leaving a gap of" or "leave a gap of"?

"Leaving a gap of" is the present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing or resultant state. "Leave a gap of" is an imperative or infinitive form, used to instruct or describe a potential action. The choice depends on the intended meaning and sentence structure.

How does "leaving a gap of" compare to "leaving a deficit of"?

"Leaving a gap of" is a more general term that can refer to any kind of space or deficiency, while "leaving a deficit of" specifically implies a financial or numerical shortage. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the nature of the deficiency being described.