were left untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were left untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been altered, changed, or disturbed in any way. Example: "The ancient artifacts were left untouched in the museum to preserve their historical integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They, too, were left untouched.

The New York Times

Some things were left untouched.

The New Yorker

More than 200 remains were left untouched.

The New York Times

In the city itself, few stores were left untouched.

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly, the Badr Brigades were left untouched by Maliki's offensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their take-it-or-leave-it contracts were left untouched.

The Guardian - Opinion

Libyan naval frigates in the harbor were left untouched by the blast.

The New York Times

Few places in the world were left untouched by its riches.

The Guardian

Few old laws were left untouched in the attempt to round up suspects before the march.

The Economist

"It's brutal, right?" Stuart Holden said, smiling, probably because his ears were left untouched.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, the state's fundamental problems and Albany's culture of corruption were left untouched.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were left untouched", ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what exactly remained untouched: "The original documents were left untouched by the editors."

Common error

Avoid using "were left untouched" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The problem was left untouched by the committee", consider "The committee did not address the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were left untouched" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of not being touched or altered. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were left untouched" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes something that has not been altered or disturbed. According to Ludwig, the phrase sees common usage across news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is important to avoid ambiguity, ensuring that it remains grammatically sound and semantically precise. While the phrase is deemed as correct and usable in written English by Ludwig AI, other alternatives such as "remained unaffected" or "were preserved" can provide more stylistic options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were untouched

Is a shorter version of the phrase that is also valid.

remained unaffected

Indicates a lack of impact or change, emphasizing the absence of negative consequences.

were preserved

Focuses on the act of maintaining something in its original condition, often implying deliberate effort.

were undisturbed

Highlights the absence of any disruption or interference, suggesting a state of tranquility.

were kept intact

Emphasizes the wholeness and completeness of something, implying that no parts were damaged or removed.

were unmarred

Focuses on the absence of blemishes or imperfections, suggesting a pristine condition.

were inviolate

Implies a strong sense of protection and respect, suggesting that something was considered sacred or untouchable.

were unscratched

Highlights the absence of superficial damage, focusing on the preservation of the surface.

were unmolested

Suggests the absence of unwanted or intrusive contact, often implying a sense of vulnerability.

were unblemished

Focuses on the lack of imperfections or flaws, emphasizing purity and perfection.

FAQs

How can I use "were left untouched" in a sentence?

You can use "were left untouched" to describe something that has not been altered, changed, or disturbed. For example: "Despite the renovations, the original murals "were left untouched" to preserve the building's history."

What are some alternatives to "were left untouched"?

Alternatives include "remained unaffected", "were preserved", or "were undisturbed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "were left untouched"?

Yes, "were left untouched" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction using the past tense of "to be" with "left" and the adjective "untouched."

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

While both phrases indicate a lack of alteration, "were left untouched" implies a deliberate choice or circumstance that resulted in something not being changed. "Remained untouched" simply states the fact that no change occurred; for example compare "the crime scene "remained untouched"" to "the ancient artifacts "were left untouched" by the museum".