leaving it empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving it empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where something is not filled or is intentionally left without content. Example: "When you submit the form, make sure to avoid leaving it empty, as all fields are required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Other architects had wanted to fill the immense space now known as Turbine Hall with floors and partitions, but Herzog and de Meuron proposed leaving it empty — as an entrance to the building, and as a huge, new kind of exhibition space that artists would figure out how to use.

The New Yorker

ON a bright, blustery afternoon in November, construction workers were packing up their gear on the High Line, the park being created atop the old elevated railway in the West Chelsea area of Manhattan, leaving it empty for a few intrepid visitors to tour.

The New York Times

He told us, while turning on the overhead projector and leaving it empty, about a fun game he liked to play of turning the projector on with nothing on it to see how long the class would stare stupidly at the wall.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also campaigning to overhaul the council tax system and to introduce a land tax to stop organisations buying land for development and leaving it empty.

BBC

One prominent problem when it comes to saving money is when you end up taking out of the said box a little at a time over a long period of time, eventually leaving it empty.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As elsewhere, the industry held out its tin cup, but the government left it empty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nicholson worries that unless the Cat Fund increases its cash reserve, one big storm could leave it empty, exposing insurers to the next big storm.

Huffington Post

Finally, Grisha had simply left it empty for his visits.

The New Yorker

If he leaves it empty, he gets actors".

Independent

His stubbornness left it empty for 16 years.

Independent

It would have been better to leave it empty or finish it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leaving it empty" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "leaving the tank empty" or "leaving the room empty".

Common error

Avoid using "leaving it empty" when you actually mean partially filled or nearly empty. "Leaving it empty" strictly implies a complete absence of content.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving it empty" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of vacating something and ensuring it contains nothing. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples include describing physical spaces, containers, or abstract fields.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaving it empty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the action of vacating something and ensuring that it remains without content. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across different contexts. While "leaving it empty" is most frequently found in news and media sources, its neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings. Related phrases include "leaving it vacant" and "leaving it unfilled", each offering slight variations in emphasis. When writing, ensure that the referent of 'it' is clear to avoid ambiguity and that emptiness is absolute, not partial. Although the phrase is correct, is not very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving it vacant

Replaces 'empty' with 'vacant', emphasizing a lack of occupants or contents.

leaving it unfilled

Focuses on the action of not filling something that could be filled.

leaving it unoccupied

Highlights the absence of any inhabitants or users.

leaving it bare

Implies a state of being without any covering or contents, highlighting simplicity.

leaving it untouched

Emphasizes that something has not been altered or used.

leaving it deserted

Suggests abandonment and a lack of activity.

leaving it unpopulated

Specifically refers to a lack of inhabitants.

leaving it devoid

Indicates a complete absence of something expected or desired.

leaving it stark

Conveys a sense of bleakness and emptiness.

leaving it clean

Refers to a more literal meaning of empty, where a place is empty and free of dirt or clutter.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving it empty" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving it empty" to describe a physical space, like "leaving the room empty", or an abstract concept, such as "leaving the document without any comments". The context should make it clear what "it" refers to.

What are some alternatives to "leaving it empty"?

Alternatives include "leaving it vacant", "leaving it unfilled", or "leaving it untouched", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "leaving it empty" and "leaving it blank"?

"Leaving it empty" generally refers to a space or container, while "leaving it blank" often applies to forms or documents. Though similar, the latter implies a space intended to be filled. Consider "leaving a field blank" versus "leaving a container empty".

When is it more appropriate to use "leaving it bare" instead of "leaving it empty"?

Use "leaving it bare" when you want to emphasize the lack of covering or contents, suggesting a sense of simplicity or exposure. For example, "leaving the walls bare" is more descriptive than "leaving the walls empty".