left in

USAGE SUMMARY

"left in" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe something that has remained in a certain condition or place. For example, "The house was left in ruins after the hurricane struck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People left in droves.

The New Yorker

Any gas left in the tank?

The New York Times

The flight left in nine hours.

The New Yorker

We left in 1976.

The New York Times

Heighway left in 2007.

Independent

Khosrojerdi left in shame.

The New Yorker

Some left in protest.

The Economist

He left in 2005.

The New York Times

He left in April.

The New York Times

Lydia left in a hurry.

The New Yorker

He finally left in 2002.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left in" to indicate not only a physical location but also a condition or emotional state, offering a more nuanced description. For example, "She was left in tears after the argument."

Common error

Avoid using "left in" when you mean simply 'departed'. "Left in" often implies a resultant state or condition. Instead of saying "He left in a hurry", consider "He departed in a hurry" if you don't want to imply that something was left behind or in a specific condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left in" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that describes a resultant state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the condition or state something or someone is in after a departure or action. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this function, such as "The Capitals were left in disbelief."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left in" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes a resultant state or condition following an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. The register is generally neutral. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the state, and avoid using it when simply 'departed' is intended. Consider alternatives like "remained within" or "stayed inside" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

located internally

Focuses on the internal location, emphasizing that it is inside.

remained within

Focuses on the state of remaining, implying something stayed inside.

stayed inside

Highlights the act of staying, emphasizing the interior location.

kept within

Implies containment or restriction within a certain boundary.

abandoned within

Emphasizes abandonment, specifying that it occurred inside.

ensured to stay inside

Focuses on the act of ensuring that something remains within.

deposited within

Suggests that something was placed or left inside intentionally.

found enclosed within

Highlights discovery within an enclosure, adding a sense of finding.

positioned inside

Emphasizes the placement or positioning of something within an area.

installed inside

Suggests the process of placing or fitting something inside a structure.

FAQs

How is "left in" used in a sentence?

The phrase "left in" is used to describe the state or condition something is in after someone or something has departed or acted upon it. For example, "The house was "left in ruins" after the storm" or "He was "left in charge" of the project".

What are some alternatives to "left in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "remained in", "stayed in", or "resulted in". For example, instead of "The decision left her in doubt", you could say "The decision "resulted in her doubt"".

Is there a difference between "left in" and "abandoned in"?

While both phrases imply something was not taken, "abandoned in" suggests a deliberate act of leaving something behind, often in a negative or irresponsible way. "Left in" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply intent. For instance, a car might be "left in the parking lot" (left in), but a baby would never be left in, it's abandoned.

When should I use "left in" instead of just "left"?

"Left" simply indicates departure. Use "left in" when you want to emphasize the resulting state or condition. For instance, "She left" indicates she departed, but "She was "left in awe"" describes her emotional state after an event.