left on board

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left on board" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone remains on a vehicle, such as a ship or plane, after others have disembarked. Example: "After the passengers exited the ferry, a few items were left on board, including a backpack and a jacket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

In other words, tomorrow's salty tales of ghost ships with no one left on board could be all too verifiable and hardly cause for alarm.

TechCrunch

Three pirates were left on board with Captain Phillips.

The New York Times

Soon enough, Pi and Richard Parker are the only passengers left on board.

The New Yorker

Their bodies were left on board the boat, but attempts were being made to recover them as soon as possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Those left on board realize to their horror that the hijacker has no plan for landing the plane.

The New York Times

The ship was able to carry 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel, but officials had no way of knowing how much fuel was left on board.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Emergency services and park staff worked to evacuate the 16 people from the ride, who were left on-board for four hours, after the ride halted 25 feet in the air at a 45 degree angle.

Independent

The prince behaves increasingly peculiarly, and, shortly after the death of the woman's father, leaves on board ship.

The Guardian - Books

The original concept was drawn on a white board, after the image had been left on the board for several days, the developers decided that it "pretty much had to be the next game".

Wikipedia

Ed Ruscha is the latest artist to resign from the board of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, leaving no artists left on the board.

Huffington Post

But Mr Eisner has no enemies left on his board.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left on board", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of vehicle or vessel being referred to. For instance, specify "left on board the ship" or "left on board the plane" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "left on board" without specifying what "board" refers to. Saying "items were left on board" can be confusing if the reader doesn't know if you are talking about a ship, plane, or train.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left on board" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating the location or state of something or someone remaining on a vehicle or vessel. This is supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left on board" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to indicate that something or someone remains on a vehicle or vessel. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable in neutral contexts, such as news and general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the mode of transportation, and avoid ambiguity by providing context. Consider alternatives like "remaining aboard" for a more formal tone. The frequency of the phrase is common, suggesting it's a well-understood and accepted expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining aboard

Focuses on the act of still being aboard, slightly more formal.

remaining on the vessel

Uses "vessel" instead of "board", adding a touch of formality.

staying on board

Highlights the action of continuing to stay on the transport.

abandoned aboard

Implies being deserted or forsaken on a vessel.

forgotten on the ship

Emphasizes the act of forgetting something on a ship.

still present on the plane

Specifies the mode of transport as a plane.

overlooked aboard

Suggests an item was missed or not noticed.

lingering aboard

Implies a reluctance to leave.

remaining inside

Describes being inside, lacking specific vehicle context.

unclaimed on the train

Highlights that nobody has claimed it, and is specific to trains.

FAQs

How can I use "left on board" in a sentence?

You can use "left on board" to indicate that something or someone remains on a vehicle after others have disembarked. For example, "Some personal belongings were "left on board" the bus after the field trip".

What's the difference between "left on board" and "remaining on board"?

"Left on board" usually implies something was forgotten or not taken, whereas "remaining on board" suggests a deliberate choice to stay. The semantic nuance depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "left in board" instead of "left on board"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "on", not "in". "Left on board" is the standard and grammatically correct form.

What can I say instead of "left on board" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "remaining on the vessel" or "remaining aboard".