left to dissolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to dissolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process where something is allowed to break down or disintegrate over time, often in a chemical or physical context. Example: "After mixing the solution, it was left to dissolve completely before proceeding with the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The festival ends with those figures being flung into the river and left to dissolve into the sludge that they came from.

The New York Times - Arts

One disadvantage is that is it sub-lingual - it must be left to dissolve under the tongue; this is not so discrete as swallowing a tablet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before printing, array elements were reconstituted by addition of HPLC water (BDH) and left to dissolve o/n at 4°C.

BMC Genomics

Then, 300 μl of 0.3 M NaOH was added to the remaining pellet which was left to dissolve overnight at 37 °C before protein content was measured using the Lowry method [ 15].

Biochemical Journal

One mL of RNase free water was added to the RNA and left to dissolve on ice for 15 min. To remove DNA contamination from total RNA used for RACE, 40 μg of total RNA was incubated with 10 U of DNase I in a 100 μL reaction volume according to the manufacturer's instructions (Amplification Grade, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The pellet was then left to dissolve overnight on a shaker at 4°C in 8 M Urea, 4% CHAPS, 40 mM Tris base, 0.2% Bio-Lyte 3/10 (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) and 2 mM TCEP as a reducing agent (Pierce, Rockford, IL).

BMC Nephrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In a cup, stir the yeast with 50ml warm water and leave to dissolve.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The result of this measure was that de Valera and his party decided to attend sessions in the Dáil, and, since this greatly altered the parliamentary situation, Cosgrave obtained leave to dissolve the assembly and hold a general election.

Britannica

Some products were diluted in water and then used for intravaginal cleansing (particularly alum) or inserted and either left to 'dissolve' (e.g. Tiger Balm or Blue Stone) or inserted and the remnants removed prior to sex (e.g. traditional herbs and snuff).

Culture, Health and Sexuality

More specifically, 1 g of edible film containing L. rhamnosus GG was transferred to 9 mL of sterile PBS and left to hydrate and dissolve under constant agitation in an orbital incubator at 37 °C for 1 h.

Food Hydrocolloids

More specifically, 1 g of L. rhamnosus GG containing bread crust samples were transferred to 9 mL of sterile PBS and left to hydrate and dissolve under constant agitation in an orbital incubator at 37 °C for 1 h.

Food Hydrocolloids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left to dissolve" in scientific writing, specify the environmental conditions (temperature, solvent) to ensure reproducibility.

Common error

Avoid using "left to dissolve" when describing intentional actions. It implies a passive process, so ensure the subject is genuinely being left to undergo dissolution, not actively dissolved by something else. For example, avoid using it when acid is added to speed the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to dissolve" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state where an object or substance is being acted upon by external conditions, allowing it to break down into a solution. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in both scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left to dissolve" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes a passive process of dissolution. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in scientific contexts, but also in news media, it indicates allowing a substance to break down in a liquid without active intervention. When employing this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a passive process and consider specifying environmental factors for increased clarity. While "left to dissolve" can add precision to descriptions, be mindful of its implications to use it correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left to decompose

Implies allowing a natural process of decay. Semantic similarity is very close.

left to disintegrate

Similar to "allowed to disintegrate", focusing on complete structural breakdown.

allowed to disintegrate

Replaces "dissolve" with "disintegrate", implying a more forceful breakdown. Similarity is high due to shared meaning.

left to degrade

Emphasizes a decline in quality or structure. Applicable when referring to materials breaking down.

permitted to decompose

Uses "decompose", suggesting organic matter breaking down. Similarity remains high in applicable contexts.

permitted to break down

Uses the phrasal verb "break down", providing a less formal alternative.

allowed to dissipate

Substitutes "dissipate", meaning to scatter or fade away. Contextually similar when discussing intangible things.

allowed to erode

Emphasizes the gradual wearing away of something. Suitable in contexts involving erosion.

permitted to resolve

Uses "resolve" which can mean to dissolve or break down, especially in abstract contexts like problems or conflicts.

left to weaken

Suggests a decline in strength or effectiveness over time. This phrase has a broader application.

FAQs

How can I use "left to dissolve" in a sentence?

You can use "left to dissolve" to describe a process where a substance is allowed to break down or disintegrate in a solvent over time. For instance, "The sugar was "left to dissolve" in the water overnight".

What does it mean to say something is "left to dissolve"?

When something is "left to dissolve", it means it's been placed in a solution and allowed to break down and disperse into that solution without further intervention.

What are some situations where something might be "left to dissolve"?

This might happen in a science experiment, where a compound is "left to dissolve" in a solvent, or in cooking, where sugar is "left to dissolve" in a liquid.

Is there a difference between "allowed to dissolve" and "left to dissolve"?

The phrases "allowed to dissolve" and "left to dissolve" are nearly synonymous. Both indicate that a substance is permitted to break down in a solvent. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.