left to stick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to stick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been allowed to remain in place or adhere without being removed or altered. Example: "After the paint dried, it was left to stick to the surface for a few days to ensure a strong bond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So, after years of ice, pain medicine, massage and sleeping in long-sleeved shirts to keep my left arm warm and safe, the team doctor said I had only one option left — to stick something in it.

The New York Times

They are left to stick it out, each year with a new crop of recruits.

The New York Times

Gilligan has described her as "Darth Vader in Louboutins", which surely suggests she's got an oar or two left to stick in.

Independent

The impossibility of observing what economists call the counterfactual scenario, that is, what would have happened without globalization, makes it possible for partisans on both the right and the left to stick to their guns.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Vote leave to stick it to the Greeks and the Spaniards.

The Guardian

Dead chickens are left to rot, stuck in cages, for days.

Huffington Post

All you have left to do is stick it on the wall and stand by it during the specified time slot.

Science Magazine

Since the mid-1990's the Film Bureau has if anything tightened its grip on filmmaking, causing anguish and humiliating choices for many directors and sending some abroad, leaving others to stick with innocuous topics.

The New York Times

We won't let you in, and why should we?" I was furious, but remembered Jesse Jackson's words of wisdom: "The biggest threat you pose is not to get angry and leave, but to stick around and fight".

Huffington Post

Put some thin string through both holes and both ends, leaving it to stick out inside the bottle.

WikiHow

These sticks are left to season, sometimes for years.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left to stick", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being left and what it is sticking to. For example, "The poster was left to stick to the wall overnight."

Common error

Avoid confusing "left to stick" with active constructions. For example, instead of saying "He left the glue to stick", which is grammatically awkward, say "He left the items to stick together using glue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to stick" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the passive voice to describe something that has been allowed to remain in place or adhere. The examples from Ludwig illustrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left to stick" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a passive state of adhesion. According to Ludwig, this phrase, while not extremely common, finds use in news, media, and wiki contexts. When writing, ensure clarity regarding the object and surface involved in the adhesion. Alternative phrasings like ""allowed to remain"" or ""permitted to adhere"" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality. Avoid misusing the phrase in active voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowed to remain

Focuses on permission rather than the action of sticking.

permitted to adhere

More formal and emphasizes the act of adhesion.

allowed to stay put

Emphasizes remaining in a specific location.

remained affixed

More formal; emphasizes the state of being attached.

was allowed to cling

Emphasizes holding on tightly.

kept in place

Highlights the act of preventing movement.

allowed to be attached

Focuses on the state of being connected.

was left untouched

Implies something was not altered or removed.

not removed

Directly states the absence of removal.

let to remain

Emphasizes allowing to stay.

FAQs

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

You can use "left to stick" to describe something that remains adhered or in place. For example: "The bandage was "allowed to stick" to the wound for a few days."

What are some alternatives to "left to stick"?

Alternatives include "allowed to remain", "permitted to adhere", or "allowed to stay put", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "left sticking" instead of "left to stick"?

While "sticking" can function as a participle, "left to stick" is typically used to emphasize a passive allowance of something adhering. "Left sticking" might imply a more active process.

What's the difference between "left to stick" and "allowed to stick"?

"Left to stick" implies a lack of intervention, while ""allowed to stick"" suggests explicit permission. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.