left up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is allowed to remain in a certain state or position, often implying a lack of action to change it. Example: "The decision was left up to the committee to determine the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It's really left up to them.

The New York Times - Sports

"Blood is never left up to you.

The Guardian - Books

Decision left up to local authority.

The Guardian

Walk left up a short slope.

The Guardian - Travel

He has left up several messages threatening suicide, however.

The New Yorker

Instead, penalties would be left up to a judge.

The New York Times

How to define "larger" is left up to regulators.

The New York Times

"The rest was left up to me," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We have selected a zone located in the left-up corner.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

That was left up to the readers.

Huffington Post

Punishment was left up to the Turkish medical association.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left up" to mean 'remaining', ensure the context clearly indicates that something is allowed to stay in its current state without intervention. For example: "The old posters were left up on the wall as a reminder of the past."

Common error

Avoid using "left up" when an active construction is more appropriate. Instead of "He left up the decision to the committee", use "He left the decision up to the committee" or "He entrusted the decision to the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "left up" primarily functions to indicate that a task, decision, or responsibility has been delegated or remains the responsibility of someone or something else. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing examples where decisions or policies are "left up" to individuals or institutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "left up" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate delegation or continued responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse sources, including news, scientific articles, and general informational content. While grammatically correct, it is important to use "left up" in contexts where the delegation or responsibility is clear, and to avoid potential ambiguity by considering alternative phrases such as "left to" or "up to". Remember to consider the passive voice and choose active constructions where appropriate for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

left to

Indicates delegation or responsibility being assigned to someone.

entrusted to

Suggests a higher degree of trust or formal delegation.

up to

Implies a decision or action is the responsibility of someone.

dependent on

Highlights the conditional nature of a situation.

remaining on

Focuses on the continuation or persistence of something.

abandoned to

Emphasizes neglect or being forsaken.

walked up

Describes physical movement in an upward direction.

climbed up

Denotes a more strenuous upward movement.

traveled up

Describes the act of progressing upwards.

raised up

Signifies lifting or elevating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "left up" to indicate that a decision, task, or responsibility is delegated to someone or something. For example: "The final decision was left up to the manager."

What does "left up to" mean?

The phrase "left up to" signifies that a decision, action, or choice is the responsibility of a particular person or group. It implies delegation or entrustment. For example: "Whether to proceed with the project is left up to the team."

Which is a better alternative to "left up"?

Alternatives to "left up" include "left to", "up to", or "entrusted to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "left up to" and "dependent on"?

"Left up to" implies delegation of responsibility, whereas "dependent on" indicates a conditional relationship. For example: "The scheduling is left up to the team leader" means the team leader is responsible for scheduling. "The project's success is dependent on funding" means funding is a condition for success.