but left both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but left both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that two things were abandoned or not taken, often in a context where choices or options are being discussed. Example: "He had the chance to choose between the two paths but left both untraveled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A thrilling match enjoyed a dramatic denouement on Sunday but left both sides disappointed.

The Guardian - Sport

He could not hold a job for longer than a day; he also attended St . Johns University and the University of Miami, but left both times before one semester was through.

The New York Times

Lambert, who pretended to be an environmental and animal rights activist for five years, fathered a child with an activist, but left both when he ended his covert deployment.

The Guardian

Similar derision greeted Israel's promised withdrawals earlier this month, which amounted to a few roads being opened in Gaza, and to PA policemen steering traffic in Bethlehem, but left both areas utterly sealed from other Palestinian territories, and still penurious in their economies.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But when Officer Lutes left, both Mr. Williams, 48, and his wife, Tina, 46, were dead.

The New York Times

It comes out of both Surrealism and Expressionism but leaves both behind, and maybe abstraction, too: What, after all, could be more concrete, more illusion free than the visibly fragile material this picture is composed of?

The New York Times - Arts

(However, Anita Superson (2009) points out that Gauthier attempts to answer only the skeptic who asks "why should I be moral?" but leaves both the motive skeptic, who argues that it is enough to act morally but need not be motivated by morality, and the amoralist, who denies that there is any such thing as morality).

SEP

Add foil around the painted marker but leave both ends open.

WikiHow

Their alliance has dampened traditional rivalry between Mr Kenyatta's Kikuyus, Kenya's largest tribe, and Mr Ruto's Kalenjin group.It was an election-winning strategy but has left both sides with expectations that may be hard to meet.

The Economist

He even joined the company for 10 days this fall, but quickly left both Hampton Creek and his position as an advisor.

TechCrunch

The McLaren has proved very sensitive to tyre temperature, a problem that has only really been apparent on Jenson Button's car in the dry, but has left both drivers struggling in the wet.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when you want to create a contrast, showing that despite an initial possibility or expectation, neither of the two items in question was selected or retained.

Common error

Avoid using "but left both" when referring to more than two items. The word 'both' inherently limits the scope to exactly two entities. For more than two, consider alternatives like "but left all of them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but left both" functions as a conjunction phrase indicating contrast and omission. It connects two clauses, showing that despite an initial consideration or possibility, neither of the two things in question was chosen or retained, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but left both" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to indicate that two specific items or options were not chosen or were abandoned. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound and generally usable, it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines the two entities being referenced. Consider alternatives such as "yet abandoned both" or "however, discarded both" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet abandoned both

Replaces "but left" with "yet abandoned", emphasizing a sense of finality.

however, discarded both

Substitutes "but left" with "however, discarded", suggesting a more deliberate rejection.

though omitted both

Replaces "but left" with "though omitted", focusing on the act of leaving something out.

nevertheless, forsook both

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "but left both", suggesting a conscious abandonment.

instead, rejected both

Emphasizes a deliberate rejection of both options or entities.

but neglected both

Indicates a failure to care for or attend to both items.

though skipped both

Suggests a casual or intentional avoidance of both.

yet bypassed both

Implies going around or avoiding both items.

conversely, ignored both

Highlights a disregard for both entities or options.

but avoided both

Focuses on actively staying away from both.

FAQs

How can I use "but left both" in a sentence?

Use "but left both" to express that two specific things were not chosen or were abandoned after some consideration. For example, "He considered two job offers, but left both after realizing neither aligned with his long-term goals."

What are some alternatives to "but left both"?

Alternatives include "yet abandoned both", "however, discarded both", or "though omitted both", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but left both"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'both' refers to, limiting the phrase to only two items. Using it with more than two would be grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "but left both" and "but left all"?

"But left both" refers specifically to two items, while "but left all" implies more than two. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of items being discussed. For instance, "He had two options, but left both" versus "He had several options, but left all of them".