left a space

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left a space" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an area that has been intentionally or unintentionally made empty or unoccupied. Example: "After moving the furniture, she left a space in the middle of the room for a coffee table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Most of the "politics" revolves around the centre-left and left, a space occupied by both President Rousseff and Ms Silva.

BBC

She left a space for me to speak.

The New Yorker

But that still left a space in the key position of point guard vacant.

Independent

He left a space for one of them in one of the lines he has drawn on the map.

Independent

As Fatah took command of the P.L.O., it left a space for others to speak, act, and be heard.

The New Yorker

In 29 prior signatures, she left a space after the U and printed the SS in block letters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It was only a few years ago that the Wales head coach, Warren Gatland, said he had to find a place for Hook, who has been capped at full-back and in both centre positions as well as outside-half, in his match-day squad, but a direct style of play with emphasis on getting over the gainline has left a space-seeking player in the shadows.

The Guardian - Sport

Leave a space to the left when you have a number that is smaller than the others.

WikiHow

I want to leave a space.

The New Yorker

That leaves a space for the indies.

The Economist

"Leave a space," he says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left a space" to describe physical arrangements, ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or consequence of leaving that space. For example, "The movers left a space near the door for the new sofa."

Common error

Avoid using "left a space" when "created an opportunity" or similar phrases more accurately convey the intended meaning. "Left a space" implies a physical or literal gap, not necessarily a figurative one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left a space" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. The verb "left" indicates the action of creating or maintaining an area that is unoccupied. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

36%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left a space" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as indicated by Ludwig, that describes the action of creating or maintaining an empty area. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications, with a neutral register. While alternatives like "created a gap" or "allowed room" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance, "left a space" remains a versatile and clear way to convey the idea of an unoccupied area or gap, as reported by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside space

Focuses on the intentional action of allocating a specific area.

left an opening

Replaces "space" with "opening", emphasizing the creation of an opportunity or access point.

created a gap

Focuses on the act of making a separation or interval.

allowed room

Highlights the provision of sufficient area for something.

left a void

Implies the action resulted in an empty or unfilled area.

provided clearance

Emphasizes the act of making an area free from obstruction.

left a margin

Suggests leaving an edge or border unoccupied.

maintained a distance

Focuses on keeping a specific separation between objects or entities.

reserved an area

Implies setting aside a particular spot for a specific purpose.

kept a vacancy

Emphasizes maintaining an unoccupied position or slot.

FAQs

How can I use "left a space" in a sentence?

You can use "left a space" to describe a physical gap or an empty area. For instance, "The artist "left a space" on the canvas for the final brushstroke" or "The organizers "left a space" between the tables to allow for easy movement".

What are some alternatives to "left a space"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "created a gap", "allowed room", or "provided clearance" as alternatives to "left a space".

Is it better to say "left a space" or "created space"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""left a space"" typically implies that the space was already there and simply not filled, while "created space" suggests that some action was taken to make the space available.

What's the difference between "left a space" and "left an opening"?

"Left a space" generally refers to a physical area, whereas "left an opening" often implies creating an opportunity or possibility.