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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Leave it blank

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave it blank" is a correct and usable part of written English
You can use it when you want to tell someone to ignore or omit a certain portion of something, such as a form. For example, "If you don't have the answer to question 12, leave it blank."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They wouldn't leave it blank.

News & Media

The Guardian

There is no department code; you may leave it blank.

If this is your laptop alone, just leave it blank.

Hamton Sides doesn't know Ray's final motivation and so must leave it blank.

Also, if you haven't seen a show in a given pair, leave it blank.

If you do not have either one of these, leave it blank.

You can also leave it blank if you're not familiar with our faculty.

If a section on the I-765 does not apply to you, you may leave it blank.

Students who decided not to participate were asked to put their names on the survey and then to leave it blank.

Including some personal details in your profile offers an instant icebreaker, so don't leave it blank.

News & Media

HuffPost

Some private schools said to apply as an international student and others said to leave it blank.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

When providing instructions, be direct and specific. Instead of just saying "leave it blank", specify which field or section the user should omit to avoid confusion.

⚠ Common error

Don't assume the user knows why they should "leave it blank". Briefly explain the reasoning to provide context and prevent potential errors. For example, "If you don't have a middle name, leave it blank."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave it blank" functions as an imperative instruction. Ludwig AI identifies its use in directing someone to omit information, particularly in forms or questionnaires. It's a direct command, telling the user what not to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

Wiki

44%

Academia

25%

News & Media

23%

⚠ Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave it blank" is a common and correct imperative phrase used to instruct someone to omit a particular field or section. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across different registers, from Wiki entries to academic forms. While generally neutral, ensure clarity by specifying which field to leave blank and, if necessary, why. Alternatives like "omit this section" or "do not fill in" may be suitable depending on the context.

FAQs

How do I use "leave it blank" in a sentence?

Use "leave it blank" to instruct someone to omit a particular field or section. For example, "If you don't know the answer, "leave it blank"."

What does "leave it blank" mean?

"Leave it blank" means to not fill in a particular field or section on a form or document.

What can I say instead of "leave it blank"?

Alternatives include "omit this section", "do not fill in", or "leave empty" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "leave it blank"?

It's appropriate to "leave it blank" when the information requested is not applicable to you, or when you don't have the required information. Always follow the instructions provided.

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: