left to touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to touch" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where something is remaining or available for physical contact or interaction, but clarity is essential. Example: "The surface was left to touch, inviting everyone to feel its smooth texture."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I'm not sure there's much left to touch," Dr. Parazynski replied.

The New York Times - Science

Fox had enough left to touch first and follow Sarah Storey as British gold winners on day one.

Independent

And even though you grasp the idea pretty quickly, you still have a lot of shards left to touch: The structure has a walkway that winds around the exterior at a slight upward tilt, and every 30 feet or so along the way you find another future flame and another group of touchable shards with Mark Ronson beats.

The New York Times - Sports

It got worse for the home side when they lost possession in the French 22. Les Bleus spread the ball right at pace, Scott Spedding and Gael Fickou isolated Brown and Noa Nakaitaci galloped clear down the left to touch down behind the posts just before his boot landed beyond the dead ball line.

BBC

What are you supposed to do when, after months of having his gigantic octoroon frame drench your face in jizz, there is nothing left to touch?

Vice

Ganesha turns his trunk to his own left to touch the tasty food.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That person said that Mrs. Bachmann had insisted on leaving to touch up her makeup, even after Fox employees had warned her that leaving during such short breaks was risky.

The New York Times

Steven Beitashour breaks down the right, feeds the ball inside to Jozy Altidore on the edge of the box - and he controls and touches left to Sebastian Giovinco, who swings to hit it first time with the right foot.

BBC

She was five, and had only two attenuated senses and one intact sense — touch — left to her.

The New Yorker

More wall text summarizing themes would have also helped: too much is left to the text of touch screens, buried inside menus of choices.

The New York Times - Arts

"The ball went three metres forwards but it seems you're more likely to see that kind of try awarded when the TMO looks at it than if it is left to the referee and touch judge," said Baxter.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left to touch", ensure the context clearly indicates what is remaining and what touching it implies. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "left to touch" when it's unclear what the 'it' refers to. Always specify the object or surface that is "left to touch" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "left to touch" is to act as an infinitive phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of something remaining available for physical contact, as demonstrated by examples found via Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left to touch" describes the state of something being available for physical contact. Though grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that its usage is relatively rare and can sometimes lead to ambiguity if the context isn't clear. Related phrases such as "available to touch" or "remaining to be touched" might offer greater clarity in certain situations. While the phrase appears in various contexts, primarily news and media, science, and wiki sources, careful consideration of the intended meaning and audience is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

available to touch

Focuses on accessibility, emphasizing that something is reachable and permissible to touch.

remaining to be touched

Highlights the quantity left and the potential for future contact.

allowed to be touched

Emphasizes permission and the absence of restrictions against touching.

suitable for touching

Focuses on the appropriateness and safety of touching something.

free to be touched

Suggests a lack of restrictions and a welcoming invitation for contact.

open for contact

Highlights accessibility and readiness for physical interaction.

ready to be touched

Focuses on the preparation and suitability for physical contact.

available for interaction

Broadens the scope to include any form of interaction, not just physical touch.

accessible for contact

Emphasizes ease of access and possibility of physical contact.

unrestricted to touch

Highlights that there are no controls in place to prevent physical interaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "left to touch" to describe something that remains available for physical contact. For example, "The surface was "left to touch", inviting everyone to feel its smooth texture."

What are some alternatives to "left to touch"?

Alternatives include "available to touch", "remaining to be touched", or "allowed to be touched", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "left to touch" grammatically correct?

While not the most common phrase, "left to touch" is grammatically sound. It functions as an infinitive phrase, describing a state of being available for physical contact. As Ludwig AI explains, it's acceptable but uncommon.

When is it best to use "available to touch" instead of "left to touch"?

Use "available to touch" when you want to emphasize accessibility and permission. "Left to touch" is more appropriate when you're highlighting what remains or is yet to be experienced through touch.