leave

The word “leave” can be used as a verb or as a noun. It can also change it’s form to “left” to become an adjective.

Sara is leaving for New York. (She’s going to New York.)
Bill wants to leave his job. (He wants to find a different job.)
When you are on vacation, you try to leave your troubles behind. (The troubles remain where they began; you leave them.)
They’re leaving a large amount of money to their children. (They are giving money to their children because they are old or dead.)
They left their children a large sum of money. (People died and gave their children their wealth.)
What’s left of the pizza from last night? (What remains of the pizza? In this sentence, “left” is a past participle.)

The plane is leaving the airport.

When used as a verb, a person or thing forces another thing or person to move. This is a physical action. There is movement.

They are leaving early tomorrow morning.
What time does the train leave?
I leave for work at 7:00 every morning. (I go to work from home.)
I leave work at 3:30 in the afternoon. (I leave to go home or somewhere else.)
Let’s leave.
Do you want to stay or leave?

A person can leave a thing or a person for a purpose. The focus here is on the thing or person that was “left.” The thing or person does not move.

I left my umbrella at home. I wish I had it now.
Do you usually leave a tip when you go out to eat?
Ichabod left his children a lot of money when he died.
They have to leave their car with a mechanic this week so that he can do some work on the brakes.
I often leave my car in the garage and ride my bike to work.
Leave that alone. Don’t touch it!

A person who receives money from a dead relative, inherits the money.

The four principle parts of the verb “leave” are as follows:

leave / left / left / leaving

The past participle form of “leave” functions as an adjective to describe a thing or a person that remains in a place or a situation.

How much pizza is left?
I made a big cake for the party. There are a few pieces left if you want some.
A: Is there any milk?
B: Yes, but there’s not much left.
A: Are there any cookies?
B: Yes, but there aren’t many left.
He’s left with very few choices. (This sentence is in the passive voice: is left. Active voice: This situation leaves him with very few choices.)

Use the word “leftover” as an adjective or a noun to mean that there are extra things not used consumed.

We’re having leftovers for dinner tonight. (This is food that remains from a previous meal.)
How much lasagna is leftover from last night?
Do you like to eat leftover food?
There’s nothing better than leftover pizza.
He feels as though he’s leftover from another century.