it was left undone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was left undone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was not completed or finished. Example: "Despite our best efforts, the project was left undone due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the White House announced the deal on the fiscal cliff last week, it was quick — and correct — to note that much was left undone.

The New York Times

Although women or other family members took over the work of the men who became ill, much of women's work was left undone until they could return to it after recovering.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"It's a tough situation, knowing that the business you came here to finish was left undone again," said Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon, who along with Phillips fouled out in overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

As the in-flight wireless signal popped up on my laptop (fourteen dollars, including tax) I remembered all of what was left undone and decided to sign up.

The New Yorker

After being on the verge of eradication, the job was left undone.

Huffington Post

Only in fairytales did those little elves finish up what was left undone.

Huffington Post

Nowa Huta was left undone, and, post-Stalin, the Communist city planners prized efficiency over everything.

Huffington Post

Fifty years ago, much was left undone, but we had a national government and federal courts committed to advancing racial justice.

Huffington Post

He relates endearing stories of ancient Chinese sages whose seeming bumbling and lack of purposefulness actually assured that though they did nothing, nothing was left undone.

Huffington Post

And Carroll's central question too comes from Bonhoeffer, whose theological project to salvage Christianity from the genocide at the middle of the 20th century, was left undone after his death in 1944.

Los Angeles Times

More care was left undone on day and afternoon shifts than night shifts (p<0.001).

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was left undone" to clearly indicate that a task, project, or action was not completed, often implying a sense of neglect or omission. This passive construction emphasizes the state of incompletion rather than the actor responsible.

Common error

Avoid using "it was left undone" when you want to emphasize who failed to complete the task. In such cases, an active voice construction (e.g., "they left it undone") is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was left undone" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action or task was not completed. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically sound expression. The passive voice emphasizes the state of incompletion, rather than the agent responsible.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was left undone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate that something was not completed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and academic domains. While the phrase has a neutral register, its specific connotation can vary based on context. When writing, consider whether you need to emphasize the incompletion itself or the agent responsible, as the passive voice focuses on the former. Alternative phrases like "it remained incomplete" or "it was not completed" can be used for variety. Remember to avoid using it when an active voice would be more appropriate for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained incomplete

Focuses on the state of being unfinished, highlighting the lack of completion.

it was not completed

A direct and straightforward alternative, emphasizing the failure to finish.

it was neglected

Highlights that something was ignored or not given due attention, leading to its incompletion.

it went unfinished

Emphasizes the process of remaining incomplete over time.

it was not addressed

Indicates that a specific issue or task was not dealt with or resolved.

it was overlooked

Suggests that something was missed or not noticed, resulting in it being left undone.

it was abandoned

Implies a deliberate cessation of effort, leaving something unfinished.

it was shelved

Suggests that a project or task was put aside, often with no immediate plans to resume it.

it was unimplemented

Focuses on the lack of execution or practical application of a plan or idea.

it was outstanding

Indicates that a task or issue remains to be dealt with or resolved.

FAQs

What does "it was left undone" mean?

The phrase "it was left undone" means that something was not completed or finished. It implies that a task, action, or project remained unfinished, often due to neglect or oversight.

How can I use "it was left undone" in a sentence?

You can use "it was left undone" to indicate that a task or action was not completed. For example, "Despite our efforts, the project "was left undone" due to lack of resources."

What can I say instead of "it was left undone"?

You can use alternatives like "it remained "incomplete"", "it was not "completed"", or "it was "neglected"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it was left undone" or "it was remained undone"?

"It was left undone" is correct. "It was remained undone" is grammatically incorrect because "remained" already implies a state of being left. Therefore, you should use "it "remained undone"".