Meaning trap
leave out
omit
To not include something, either by accident or on purpose.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To not include something, either by accident or on purpose.
Another meaning of 'leave out' is 'exclude someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- You left out the most important part of the story.daily life
- In my opinion, the report was well-written, but it left out some key statistics that would have made the argument stronger.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: leave out + noun/pronoun
WrongYou left out to mention the date.
RightYou left out the date. / You forgot to mention the date.
'Leave out + thing' (omit it). Don't follow it with 'to + verb'.
Patternleave out + noun/pronoun
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Leave out' is the everyday verb for omitting. 'Omitted' is more formal/written.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
leave outa detailthe best bita wordnothing
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'leave behind' (to forget to take something with you).
Related
- leave out (exclude someone) — Another meaning of 'leave out' is 'exclude someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.