left at the interval

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left at the interval" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in contexts related to performances, events, or transportation where a break or pause occurs. Example: "The audience was instructed to leave at the interval for refreshments before the second act began."

News & Media

Music

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Many left at the interval.

The New Yorker

The others left at the interval.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Brazil, five times world champions and without a competitive defeat at home since 1975, had left at the interval numbed by the brutality of it all.

The Guardian - Sport

I understand why one friend, a Bach lover and scholar, left at the interval and was still seething days later, or why a fellow critic considered the whole to be near "ludicrous".

The Guardian - Music

I left at the interval and was followed out of the theatre by many others".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

My neighbour was disgruntled at the interval but left at the end intrigued and convinced.

The Guardian - Music

Left: at the beginning of the observation interval.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Restraint seemed to be left behind at the interval, both sides allowing the game to become more open.

BBC

Booing is of course much more common among notoriously conservative opera goers than it is in theatre, where audiences simply tend to show their disapproval by leaving politely at the interval or falling asleep.

The Guardian

The weather was grim when we set out; nearly a complete whiteout and at best a flat, grey light and thick cloud that would have given Scott and his men real trouble (he writes in his diary of one man -- usually Birdie Bowers -- scouting ahead in poor visibility, searching for signs of their old tracks, or for the snow cairns they left at regular intervals).

Huffington Post

James had been apparently leaving a trail for rescuers, clothing and pieces of a map had been left at intervals.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left at the interval", ensure the context clearly indicates a performance, sporting event, or meeting with a designated break. Otherwise, consider more general phrases like "left early" or "departed midway".

Common error

Avoid using "left at the interval" in situations without a clear intermission or break. For general scenarios, opt for more versatile alternatives like "left midway" or "departed early".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left at the interval" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the action of departing or exiting at a specific point in time – the interval or break within an event or performance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in news and media to report on audience or team departures.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Music

10%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left at the interval" describes the action of departing during a break or intermission, most frequently in the context of performances, sporting events, or meetings. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is not very common. While grammatically sound, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a designated break. Alternatives such as "departed during intermission" or "exited during the break" may be more suitable for formal writing. Remember to avoid using it in situations that lack a defined intermission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

departed during intermission

Replaces "left" with "departed" and "interval" with "intermission", offering a more formal tone.

exited during the break

Substitutes "left" with "exited" and "interval" with "break", providing a slightly less theatrical nuance.

walked out at halftime

Replaces "interval" with "halftime", specifically in the context of sports.

abandoned during the pause

Uses "abandoned" instead of "left", suggesting a more decisive or negative reason for leaving and replacing "interval" with pause.

withdrew at the midpoint

Employs "withdrew", implying a more formal or strategic decision to leave, and substitutes "interval" with "midpoint".

quit during intermission

Uses "quit" to express a more abrupt or dissatisfied departure during the break.

discontinued at the break

Replaces left with discontinued referring to abandoning the activity itself during the interval.

retired mid-performance

Emphasizes the act of stepping down or leaving a stage performance.

bailed at the recess

Uses the slang term "bailed" and recess to indicate a casual departure during a short break.

left halfway through

Simple substitute with the equivalent meaning.

FAQs

What does "left at the interval" mean?

It means someone departed during the intermission or break of a performance, sporting event, or meeting. The interval is the pause between sections of an event.

What can I say instead of "left at the interval"?

You can use alternatives like "departed during intermission", "exited during the break", or "walked out at halftime" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "left at the interval" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "left at the interval" is more common in informal contexts. For formal writing, consider "withdrew at the midpoint" or "discontinued at the break" which offer a more refined tone.

In what situations is "left at the interval" most commonly used?

This phrase is typically used when describing someone leaving a theater performance, concert, sports game, or similar event during the scheduled break. However, Ludwig indicates that it's not very common.