leave on
leave on — phrasal verb
- leave onbase form
- leaves on3rd person singular
- leaving on-ing form
- left onpast simple
1. to let a machine, light, or other device keep working by not switching it off
to let a machine, light, or other device keep working by not switching it off
Omar left the television on while he cooked dinner in the kitchen.
pattern: leave + [device] + on
Ritu always leaves her computer on so she can check messages right away.
habitual: always leaves + [device] + on
The classroom lights were left on all night by the cleaning team.
passive: be left on
Leaving the oven on while you go out could start a fire, the teacher warned.
warning context: leave + oven + on
Cole left the engine on to keep the car warm while he cleared snow.
- leave the lights on
- leave the TV on
- leave the computer on
- leave the oven on
- keep running
more explicit about the continuous operation of a machine
- not turn off
literal paraphrase; less idiomatic but clearer for learners
- turn off
opposite action — stopping the device from working
- switch off
same as 'turn off', used especially for lights and electronics
Grammar Patterns
leave + noun/pronoun + on
Usage Note
Frequently used with devices that consume electricity or fuel (lights, TV, oven, computer, engine). The object must go between 'leave' and 'on' — never 'leave on + object'.
Common Mistakes
2. to continue wearing a piece of clothing rather than taking it off your body
to continue wearing a piece of clothing rather than taking it off your body
Kasia left her hat on during the whole outdoor ceremony.
pattern: leave + [garment] + on
Asher left his glasses on when he jumped into the swimming pool.
The children left their wet shoes on and mud covered the hallway floor.
plural object: leave + their [garments] + on
It was so cold inside that Naoko left her coat on at the dinner table.
indoor context: leave + coat + on despite being indoors
Tuan left his jacket on because the restaurant had the air conditioner running.
- leave your coat on
- leave your shoes on
- leave your hat on
- leave your jacket on
- keep on
more general; can be used with any garment in any context
- not take off
literal paraphrase; less idiomatic but helpful for understanding
- take off
opposite action — removing a garment from the body
Grammar Patterns
leave + article of clothing + on
Usage Note
Often used in situations where removing the garment would be normal (e.g., coming indoors, sitting at a table). The object goes between 'leave' and 'on'.