left it blank

USAGE SUMMARY

"left it blank" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has not filled something in or written anything down. For example: "The application form asked us to enter our Social Security numbers, but we left it blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Left it blank?

The Guardian - Money

Erica Lubliner, who has fair skin and green eyes — legacies of her Jewish father and her Mexican mother — said she was so "conflicted" about the race question on the census form that she left it blank.

The New York Times

I tried to have the last line rhyme with believer but it just seemed too cute so I left it blank and so far that feels like the right thing.

The New York Times

Depending on the recipient's mail system, some users may see your name in the To field, even if you left it blank, while other systems will show only the recipient's name in the To field.

The New York Times - Tech

Instead of linking Bessemer Venture Partners in the first paragraph to Crunchbase or their website, I left it blank.

TechCrunch

Hardly any of us knew and left it blank.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They wouldn't leave it blank.

The Guardian

Also, if you haven't seen a show in a given pair, leave it blank.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Hamton Sides doesn't know Ray's final motivation and so must leave it blank.

The Guardian - Books

But what I find soothing about Cursed Images is also what makes the account creepy: the images grab your attention and leave it blank for solid stretches of time.

The New Yorker

Students who decided not to participate were asked to put their names on the survey and then to leave it blank.

Fields Mathematics Education Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When completing forms or surveys, only use "left it blank" if the instruction allows for omissions. Otherwise, use "N/A" or "not applicable" if the question doesn't pertain to you.

Common error

Be careful not to assume that an unmarked field is optional. If you are unsure, always check instructions or ask for clarification before you "left it blank".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left it blank" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the omission of information in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, mirroring its occurrence in various English sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left it blank" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of intentionally omitting information. Ludwig AI and numerous examples from diverse sources confirm its validity and utility. It's important to ensure its appropriate use, especially in formal contexts, considering the implications of omissions on official documents. The phrase's versatility allows it to fit into various communication styles, although predominantly found in news, Wiki, and scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left it empty

Emphasizes the absence of content or substance, similar to leaving something blank.

left it unfilled

Directly conveys that a space or field was not completed or filled in.

didn't fill it out

A more direct and common way to say that something was not completed, specifically a form or application.

left it untouched

Implies that something was not altered or interacted with, including filling it in.

left it incomplete

Highlights the unfinished state of something, particularly regarding missing information.

left it as is

Indicates that something was not modified or changed, suggesting a deliberate decision to leave it in its original state.

omitted it entirely

Focuses on the act of intentionally excluding something, creating a blank space.

left the space void

Emphasizes emptiness and lack of content in a given area.

skipped that section

Suggests bypassing a particular part or area, resulting in it being blank.

left that part out

Highlights the omission of a specific portion or element.

FAQs

How can I use "left it blank" in a sentence?

You can use "left it blank" to describe omitting information, like "I didn't know the answer, so I "left it blank"." or "She "left it blank" on the form because she didn't want to provide that information."

What does it mean to say I "left it blank"?

Saying you "left it blank" means you deliberately did not fill in a space, answer a question, or provide information in a specific area. This is often done because the information is unknown, irrelevant, or the question is optional.

Is it better to guess or "leave it blank" on a test?

This depends on the test's instructions. If there's no penalty for guessing, it might be better to guess. However, if there's a penalty for wrong answers, "leaving it blank" might be the safer option.

When should I "leave it blank" on a form?

You should "leave it blank" on a form when the question is optional, you don't know the answer, or the question does not apply to you, and the instructions permit doing so.