left off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something was stopped or left incomplete. For example: We left off last time discussing the merits of the new policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Nothing is being left off the table.

The New York Times

Left off sacques, but retained flannel undervests.

The New Yorker

everybody has left off even corsets!

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here's Where We Left Off.

The New York Times

You are left off others.

The New York Times

Left off was Jovan Kirovski.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

spokespeople leave off.

The New Yorker

Where did we leave off?

The New York Times - Arts

I didn't leave off any zeros.

The Guardian - Opinion

Did Dylan leave off any obvious titles?

The New Yorker

You leave off making boring literary references.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When resuming a task or discussion, use "left off" to clearly indicate where you are starting again. For example: "Let's pick up where we "left off" yesterday."

Common error

Avoid using "left off" in passive constructions where it obscures the actor. Instead of saying "The details were "left off"", specify who omitted the details: "They "left off" the details."

Linguistic Context

Left off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It is used both transitively (when something is omitted) and intransitively (when an activity is paused). Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Left off" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate either the omission of something or the point at which an activity was discontinued. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse contexts like news articles, academic papers, and general writing. When using "left off", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to something being omitted or an activity being paused for clarity. Consider alternatives such as "discontinued" or "omitted" for specific emphasis. Avoid misusing it in passive constructions to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not included

A straightforward way of saying something was not part of a list or group.

discontinued

Focuses on the act of stopping something completely.

broke off

Implies an abrupt or sudden termination.

ceased

Implies a more formal or definitive ending.

interrupted

Focuses on an action being halted temporarily.

omitted

Highlights the act of excluding something.

suspended

Suggests a temporary cessation with the possibility of resumption.

skipped

Suggests a deliberate passing over of something.

abandoned

Implies leaving something unfinished or uncared for.

discountinued from

Highlights the act of excluding something.

FAQs

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

"Left off" can indicate resuming something or omitting something. For example, "We "left off" discussing the budget" or "Several key points were "left off" the agenda".

What is a synonym for "left off" when referring to continuing from a certain point?

When referring to continuing from a certain point, you can use "picked up where" or "resumed".

What's the difference between "left off" and "omitted"?

"Left off" can refer to either stopping something or omitting something. "Omitted" refers specifically to excluding something.

Is it correct to say "I picked up where I "left off""?

Yes, "I picked up where I "left off"" is a correct and common expression. It means you continued from the point where you previously stopped.