they left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they left" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people has departed from a place or situation. Example: "After the meeting concluded, they left the conference room quietly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They left.

The New Yorker

They left no estate.

The New York Times

They left the van.

The New York Times

They left us alone.

The New York Times

They left for Düsseldorf.

The New York Times

They left us hanging".

The New York Times - Magazine

They left bruises.

The New York Times - Sports

And then they left.

The New Yorker

They left without comment.

The New York Times

Eventually, they left her.

The New Yorker

They left immediately.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they left", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, preventing ambiguity. For example, "After the presentation, they left the conference room."

Common error

Avoid using "they left" without establishing who "they" are. For instance, instead of saying "They left, and the house was empty", specify who left: "The family left, and the house was empty."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they left" functions as a simple declarative statement, indicating that a group of individuals has departed from a specific place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they left" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the departure of a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is straightforward and its usage spans diverse contexts, primarily within news and media. While simple, writers should ensure the antecedent of "they" is clear to avoid ambiguity. The phrase has several alternatives, such as "they departed" or "they went away", that may suit specific contexts better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they departed

A more formal synonym for leaving.

they went away

A simple and direct way to express departure.

they exited

A neutral and common way to describe leaving a place.

they abandoned

Indicates leaving something or someone behind, often with negative connotations.

they cleared out

Implies a more thorough or hurried departure.

they took off

An informal way of saying they left quickly or suddenly.

they withdrew

Suggests a more deliberate or strategic departure.

they bailed

An informal term for leaving, often implying abandonment of a responsibility.

they vacated

A formal way to say they left a place empty.

they split

Slang term for leaving a place.

FAQs

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

Use "they left" to indicate that a group of people has departed from a specific location or situation. For instance, "After the concert, they left the venue" or "Feeling disappointed, they left the negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "they left"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they departed", "they went away", or "they exited".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they left"?

Yes, "they left" is grammatically correct. "They" is a plural pronoun, and "left" is the past tense of the verb "leave", forming a complete and valid sentence structure.

What's the difference between "they left" and "they abandoned"?

"They left" simply indicates a departure, whereas "they abandoned" implies leaving someone or something behind, often suggesting a sense of neglect or irresponsibility.