left him a dollar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left him a dollar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone has given or left a dollar for another person, often in a context of a transaction or a gesture of kindness. Example: "After the meal, she left him a dollar as a tip for his excellent service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(I left him a dollar tip).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Twelve years ago, the second President Bush promised a tax cut because his predecessor, President Bill Clinton, left him a $240 billion budget surplus.

The New York Times

Some of them, however, have all the legitimacy of the wife of a recently deceased prince whose father has left him a $1.5 billion goldmine and who needs your help to unlock an inheritance in six easy steps.

TechCrunch

While we are walking to the Comic-Con press room, he receives a text from his old assistant, who now works at Disney, who has left him a gift of a $1,000 rare comic in the Comic-Con HQ.

The Guardian

In other words, a person who made $147,000 would give $7,350, leaving him a comfortable $139,650 to live on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Five days later an uncle dies, leaving him a cool $7m, on condition that he spends every cent of his grandfather's million within a year.

The Guardian - Books

A bitter divorce in 2004 left him with a $6,800 monthly alimony payment, according to court filings.

The New York Times

But the refinancing left him with a $4,500 monthly mortgage payment, which is more than Mr. Lamb's monthly take-home pay.

The New York Times

Before winning the lottery, Mr. Bell filed for bankruptcy after emergency surgery to remove kidney stones left him with a $6,000 bill that he and his wife could not pay, he said.

The New York Times - Health

That leaves him a long way from the $20 million he is estimated to make this year.

The New York Times

When the check finally arrived, he tried to deposit it, only to find that it bounced, leaving him with a $35 fee — way more than the $12 that he was supposedly making.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an action of tipping or leaving a small amount of money, consider the context to determine if "left him a dollar" is the most appropriate and descriptive phrase. If the context emphasizes the act of tipping, "tipped him a dollar" may be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "left him a dollar" in contexts where a more substantial amount of money was expected or required. This phrase implies a very small gesture, and using it inappropriately can downplay the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left him a dollar" functions as a description of an action, indicating that someone provided another person with a small amount of money. This usage is supported by Ludwig and exemplified in contexts where tipping or small transactions are discussed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left him a dollar" is a grammatically correct but rare expression used to describe the act of giving someone a single dollar, often as a tip or a small gesture of appreciation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and significance of the amount. More common alternatives, such as "gave him a dollar" or "tipped him a dollar", might be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left him one dollar

Replaces "a" with "one" for emphasis.

gave him a dollar

Replaces "left" with "gave", focusing on the act of handing over the money.

gave him one dollar

Combines the directness of "gave" with the emphasis of "one".

handed him a dollar

Highlights the act of physically handing over the money.

tipped him a dollar

Specifically refers to giving a dollar as a tip for service.

left him a single dollar

Adds "single" to emphasize the small amount.

passed him a dollar

Similar to 'handed' but with a sense of informality.

left a one-dollar tip

Rephrases as a "one-dollar tip", emphasizing the tip aspect.

slipped him a dollar

Implies a discreet or subtle action of giving the dollar.

contributed a dollar to him

Suggests a charitable contribution.

FAQs

What is another way to say "left him a dollar"?

Alternatives include "gave him a dollar", "tipped him a dollar", or "left a one-dollar tip", depending on the context.

Is it common to say "left him a dollar"?

The phrase "left him a dollar" is not very common. While grammatically correct, there may be more common ways to express the same idea, such as "gave him a dollar".

What does it mean to "leave someone a dollar"?

To "leave someone a dollar" typically means to give them a dollar, often as a tip for service. It implies a small monetary gesture.

How can I use "left him a dollar" in a sentence?

You could say, "The customer was pleased with the service and "left him a dollar" as a token of appreciation".