left hoping for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left hoping for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of anticipation or desire for something that may or may not happen after a certain event or situation. Example: "After the meeting ended without a decision, I was left hoping for a positive outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Draw and Ukraine are left hoping for an England wobble at home to Montenegro or Poland.

Independent

But for a spare of damaging draws in mid-season, Liverpool would not be left hoping for a minor miracle to win the title and could have gone in to Sunday's match against West Bromwich Albion on top.

Independent

Going into the weekend, the Mittster is left hoping for one of the two things I mentioned at the start: an unexpected last-minute swing in his favor, or a monumental screwup on the part of the pollsters.

The New Yorker

Many of us may be left hoping for a break in the clouds, or at least for the rain to stop.

BBC

Michael Owen, who has spent much of the season in the Old Trafford shadows as Hernandez took the top flight by storm, is left hoping for a place on the substitutes' bench against Barcelona and the opportunity to make an impact.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If Arens is right, then Israel is left hoping either for Mubarak to stay on or, at most, for his strongman-in-waiting, Omar Suleiman, to take over.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a catch that left hope for a conviction here: Stewart wrote that the violent antics of labor unions would not be covered and would in fact be extortion if "the wages sought by violent acts are wages to be paid for unneeded or unwanted services, or for no services at all".

Vice

But instead of serving up a dramatic finale, the judge postponed his ruling, leaving hope for Balsillie's three-year quest to buy a hockey team and move it to Southern Ontario.

Forbes

Though only very few combined therapy treatment protocols have been tested so far, clear increases in survival time of MDR-tumour-bearing mice were regularly obtained, leaving hope for major improvement of the therapy using other dosing schedules.

British Journal of Cancer

Second, the meta-analysis on MTX → FU included several trials designed without the demonstrated optimal interval between the antifol and the fluoropyrimidine (4 24 h) leaving hope for more substantial efficacy of this sequence with appropriate scheduling, as we chose for our study.

British Journal of Cancer

The musical's final scene leaves hope for a continuing relationship of some sort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left hoping for", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the hoping and what they are hoping for. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject and the desired outcome explicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "left hoping for" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "The decision was left hoping for a better outcome", try "They were left hoping for a better outcome after the decision", which is more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left hoping for" primarily functions as a verbal phrase expressing a state of anticipation or expectation regarding a future event. It indicates a situation where someone is in a passive position, waiting for a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left hoping for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that indicates a state of anticipation or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media contexts, where it serves to convey a sense of uncertainty mixed with desire. While versatile, it's important to consider the passive nature of the phrase and avoid overuse of passive constructions. Alternatives such as "remained optimistic about" or "rested their hopes on" can provide more active or formal tones, depending on the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rested their hopes on

Emphasizes dependence on something for a positive outcome, highlighting the reliance more strongly.

pinned their hopes on

Implies a strong dependence on a specific outcome, differing slightly in nuance from the original phrase.

found themselves expecting

Focuses on the expectation itself rather than the hope, implying a possibly passive role.

remained optimistic about

Implies a sustained positive outlook regarding a future event, suggesting a proactive element not present in "left hoping for".

were anticipating

Highlights the act of anticipation, differing from the element of uncertainty in "left hoping for".

remained expectant of

Focuses on a state of expectation, with a slightly more formal tone compared to "left hoping for".

waited with anticipation for

Emphasizes the act of waiting with a positive expectation, adding a temporal dimension.

were banking on

Suggests a level of confidence or reliance, differing from the uncertainty inherent in "left hoping for".

looked forward to

Conveys a sense of eagerness and positive expectation, a more proactive stance than "left hoping for".

clung to the expectation of

Highlights a strong, almost desperate, attachment to the expectation, unlike the neutral tone of the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "left hoping for" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "remained expectant of", "rested their hopes on", or "found themselves anticipating" depending on the specific context. These alternatives offer a similar meaning while conveying a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "rested their hopes on" and "left hoping for"?

"Rested their hopes on" implies a stronger dependence and reliance on a specific outcome or entity. "Left hoping for" suggests a more general sense of anticipation without necessarily placing all expectations on one thing.

In what contexts is "left hoping for" most appropriate?

The phrase "left hoping for" is suitable in contexts where there is uncertainty about a future outcome, and someone is in a position of passively awaiting a result. It often appears in news reporting, sports commentary, and general discussions about future possibilities.

What are some common synonyms for "left hoping for"?

Common synonyms include "remained optimistic about", "found themselves expecting", "were anticipating", and "looked forward to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.