left unscathed

USAGE SUMMARY

"left unscathed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been affected by a particular event or situation. For example, "The city was hit by a tornado, but thankfully the old church was left unscathed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few buildings were left unscathed.

The New York Times

Presumably, the second amendment was left unscathed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Few of his spaces have been left unscathed, however.

The New York Times

No U.S. market and no sector of the market was left unscathed Thursday.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They died less than a half-mile from a ranch that the fire left unscathed.

The New York Times

Frontline employees are not left unscathed when companies shed their customers.

Harvard Business Review

It seems impossible to find anyone here who has been left unscathed.

The New York Times

Few people in his area are genuinely left unscathed, Mr. Anderson said.

The New York Times

Several people said that the hospitals run by New York City's Health and Hospitals Corporation appeared to be left unscathed.

The New York Times

Structures built over decades have fallen apart, and nothing – not even the Trump family – is left unscathed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But if the candidates have it their way, they are going to roll into the venue, adapt their rigorously rehearsed stump appearance to the proceedings, and leave unscathed.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left unscathed", ensure the context clearly establishes what potential harm or negative impact was avoided. For instance, "Despite the market crash, their investment portfolio was left unscathed" provides a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming "left unscathed" implies complete perfection. It simply means something avoided significant damage or negative effects, not necessarily that it's in a better or improved state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left unscathed" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has not suffered any harm or damage from a potentially harmful event. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this function in various contexts, confirming its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left unscathed" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe something that has avoided harm or damage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the potential harm that was avoided. While alternatives like "remained untouched" or "escaped unscathed" exist, "left unscathed" offers a concise and effective way to convey a sense of relief or preservation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escaped unscathed

Highlights the act of avoiding harm or damage, often implying a narrow escape.

remained untouched

Focuses on the lack of physical contact or alteration.

was spared

Implies that something was deliberately or fortunately protected from harm.

came through unharmed

Emphasizes surviving an event without injury or damage.

avoided damage

Focuses on the action taken to prevent harm or damage from occurring.

was unaffected

Indicates a lack of influence or impact from an event or situation.

weathered the storm

Idiomatic expression indicating survival through a difficult period without significant harm.

suffered no damage

Specifically refers to the absence of physical harm or impairment.

remained intact

Emphasizes the preservation of completeness and original condition.

was impervious

Suggests a resistance or invulnerability to harm or influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "left unscathed" to describe something that has not been harmed or affected by a negative event. For example, "The historic building was "left unscathed" by the fire", or "Despite the economic downturn, the company's profits were "left unscathed".

What are some alternatives to "left unscathed"?

Alternatives to "left unscathed" include "remained untouched", "escaped unscathed", "came through unharmed", or "was unaffected". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "left completely unscathed"?

While "left unscathed" already implies a lack of harm, adding "completely" can provide additional emphasis. However, it's often redundant, and using "left unscathed" alone is usually sufficient and more concise.

What's the difference between "left unscathed" and "remained untouched"?

"Left unscathed" implies a potential for harm that was avoided, while "remained untouched" suggests a lack of contact or alteration. For example, a city might be "left unscathed" by a hurricane, while a historical artifact "remained untouched" during the excavation.