left as a possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left as a possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or alternatives that have not been ruled out or decided upon. Example: "The project timeline is flexible, and several approaches are left as a possibility for future consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If the culpable homicide verdict is confirmed – left as a possibility after the judge, just after lunch, abruptly adjourned the reading of her verdicts until Friday – Pistorius could receive anything from 15 years in prison to a suspended sentence, which would potentially allow the double amputee athlete, known as the Blade Runner, a chance to resurrect his sporting career.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It starts with detecting the possibility that a salesperson might leave as early as possible.

Harvard Business Review

At this stage that possibility is left as an open question, but it is important to notice that for it to be an open question we need to at least allow for a distinction between events and the ways in which they are picked out in language.

SEP

Obama then put on his political scientist/pundit cap and left it open as a possibility.

The Washington Post

The story leaves that open as a possibility, but there is no definite conclusion.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Trump's opponents — among whom you can surely include Meyers — say they think this is first about getting at what Russia tried to do (while maybe also believing it could have changed the results or leaving that open as a possibility).

The Washington Post

If you put that together with Obama's remarks on Sweden and the fact that the plan Geithner announced yesterday does in fact leave open nationalization as a possibility, then I think we need to at least consider the possibility that Obama believes the banks will need to be nationalized but doesn't believe it's politically feasible to say this or get congress to agree to it.

The Economist

He faces the possibility that he may be traded, because he can leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The New York Times - Sports

The radioligand previously used was [I]β-CIT, which binds to DATs and NETs as well as to SERTs [ 47- 49], leaving a possibility that its binding to NETs in the thalamus has affected the findings.

BMC Psychiatry

"That left Tuesday, January 3rd as a possibility for us, but Iowa officials tentatively decided that their caucus would be on that day," wrote Mr. Gardner.

The New York Times

This leaves a possibility of a fusion transcript as the result of our patient's deletion to be clarified by further experiments such as possibly 3' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE).

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left as a possibility" when you want to indicate that a particular option or outcome has not been dismissed or decided against, and is still being considered or might occur.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "left as a possibility". Instead of saying "The decision was left as a possibility by the committee", try "The committee left the decision as a possibility" for a more direct and active sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left as a possibility" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something remains an option or has not been definitively excluded. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is acceptable and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left as a possibility" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is still being considered or remains an option. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It finds frequent use across news, scientific, and academic contexts, highlighting its broad applicability. While alternatives exist, such as "remained a chance" or "still on the table", the best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, avoid excessive passive voice to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still on the table

An idiomatic expression indicating that something hasn't been dismissed and is still being discussed.

left open

Shortened version focusing on the lack of closure, implying further discussion or decisions are needed.

not ruled out

Emphasizes the absence of a decision against something, indicating it's still under consideration.

remained a chance

Focuses on the persistence of a chance, slightly emphasizing the continuation aspect.

under consideration

Highlights that something is actively being thought about or evaluated.

remained a prospect

Emphasizes the potential or likelihood of something happening in the future.

kept as an option

Highlights the active choice to retain something as an option, suggesting a deliberate decision.

held as a possibility

Stresses the act of retaining an idea or plan as something that might be pursued.

unresolved

Indicates that an issue or decision hasn't been finalized, emphasizing the lack of resolution.

remained viable

Focuses on the feasibility of something, implying it's still practical or workable.

FAQs

How can I use "left as a possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "left as a possibility" to indicate that something remains an option or hasn't been ruled out. For example, "Although they explored other options, further negotiation was "left as a possibility"".

What are some alternatives to "left as a possibility"?

Alternatives include "remained a chance", "kept as an option", or "not ruled out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "left as a possibility" or "remained possible"?

"Left as a possibility" implies an active decision to keep something open, while "remained possible" suggests a state of still being feasible. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the decision-making process or the inherent feasibility.

Can "left as a possibility" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "left as a possibility" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate that something hasn't been decided against. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it aligns with the overall communication style.