left unharmed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left unharmed" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something or someone was not harmed or damaged. Example: The house was hit by a tornado, but miraculously, the family inside was left unharmed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He too left unharmed after being told to turn around and walk away.

The Guardian

In Tulsa, rookies might have pumped up the balls, but our own were left unharmed.

The Guardian - Sport

Riot police officers and bodyguards hustled the ambassador, Robert J. Callahan, back into his car, and he left unharmed.

The New York Times

"Deep down inside, it hurts," Thomas said, referring not to his injuries but to the emotional hurt of seeing the Nets left unharmed.

The New York Times - Sports

Palestinians said a fourth brother, Dr. Fadel Abu Hein, a prominent child psychologist who runs a conflict-resolution center in Gaza, was not involved in the fighting and left unharmed.

The New York Times

Hunting the wren or "wrenning" survived longest in southern Ireland, but its modern legacy is a more humane charitable event in which birds are left unharmed.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

At least 10 passengers had been allowed to leave unharmed after their national identification cards showed them to be Baluchistan natives.

The New York Times

In one case, in the building the militants attacked opposite Parliament, the attackers allowed 10 to 15 laborers to leave unharmed.

The New York Times

But the attackers allowed some Muslims to leave unharmed, in what may have been in part an attempt to sow dissent.

The New York Times

In the tense final moments, his forces surrounded the general and his men near the back entrance of the base, he said, but let them leave unharmed on the insistence of the Defense Ministry.

The New York Times

We engineered HSVs that maintain unimpaired lytic efficacy and specifically target cells that express tumor-specific receptors, thus limiting the cytotoxicity only to cancer cells, and leaving unharmed the neighboring tissues.

Molecular Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left unharmed", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who was in a potentially harmful situation and subsequently avoided injury or damage. For example: "Despite the fire, the historical documents were left unharmed."

Common error

Avoid using "left unharmed" when describing situations where the potential for harm was minimal or non-existent. For example, it would be incorrect to say "The book was left unharmed on the shelf" if there was no risk to the book in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left unharmed" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that the subject experienced a potentially harmful situation without sustaining injury or damage. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

23%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left unharmed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies escaping a potentially harmful situation without injury or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, it conveys relief or surprise. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "emerged unscathed" or "remained safe", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "left unharmed" when there was a reasonable expectation of potential harm, and avoid it in contexts where there was no significant risk.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not hurt

Directly states the absence of physical injury.

emerged unscathed

Focuses on the idea of surviving an event without any damage.

remained safe

Emphasizes the preservation of safety throughout an event.

came through untouched

Highlights that something or someone was not affected by a negative event.

exited safely

Focuses on the action of leaving a situation without harm.

was spared

Highlights that someone avoided a negative experience or injury.

walked away safely

Focuses on the action of safely departing a potentially dangerous situation.

survived intact

Emphasizes the survival and preservation of something in its original condition.

escaped injury

Focuses on avoiding physical harm in a situation.

avoided harm

Highlights the action of circumventing a damaging event.

FAQs

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

Use "left unharmed" to indicate that someone or something was in a situation where they could have been hurt or damaged, but they were not. For example: "The passengers were shaken, but thankfully, they were all "left unharmed"."

What are some alternatives to "left unharmed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "emerged unscathed", "remained safe", or "survived intact". These alternatives convey a similar meaning of avoiding harm or damage.

Is it better to say "left unharmed" or "escaped unharmed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Left unharmed" focuses on the state of being without injury after something happened, while "escaped unharmed" emphasizes the action of getting away from a dangerous situation without injury.

Can "left unharmed" be used for both people and objects?

Yes, "left unharmed" can be used to describe both people and objects that avoided damage or injury. For example: "The family was "left unharmed"" (people) and "The antique vase was "left unharmed"" (object).