left outstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left outstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to tasks, issues, or items that remain unresolved or unaddressed. Example: "The report has several questions left outstanding that need to be addressed before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Church officials said only four cases were left outstanding.

The New York Times

She had no will and left outstanding debts, as well as back taxes owed.

The Washington Post

However, the deal left outstanding the issue of how much the university would be required to pay in legal fees.

The New York Times - Sports

With China, the US and a host of smaller countries signed up, the biggest emitter left outstanding is the EU, which negotiated the agreement as a bloc.

The Guardian

The annual rate drops to 120 percent for a loan term of one month, which is the maximum time such loans are typically left outstanding, the center's analysis found.

The New York Times

Even though the government thought they were worthless, the common stock and preferred stock were left outstanding, so it could be argued that the two government-sponsored enterprises were still independent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In England in 1700, half of all heads of household died leaving outstanding debts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet despite the advances made in visualization, the lack of collaborative problem-solving abilities leaves outstanding challenges that need to be addressed before 3D visualization can become widely accepted in the classroom and in professional practice.

Advances in Engineering Software

Even though a local inter-tribal conference was held in 1989, its recommendations for compensation and punishment went largely unheeded — leaving outstanding grievances that would explode fourteen years later.

The New Yorker

My old man had died the day before and left an outstanding bill for her to deal with.

The New Yorker

In December 2012 she paid £1m to the casino but left £1m outstanding and it was that amount the casino was entitled to recover.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left outstanding" to clearly indicate that something requires further attention or action. Ensure the context makes it clear who or what left the item outstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "left outstanding" when the actor is unclear. Always specify who or what "left" the item outstanding to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. E.g. Instead of "The issues were left outstanding", specify "The committee left the issues outstanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left outstanding" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something remains unresolved or incomplete. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left outstanding" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to indicate unresolved or incomplete items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts with a neutral formality. To ensure clarity, specify the agent that "left" the item outstanding. Alternatives include "remaining unresolved" and "still pending", although nuance may be introduced in its semantic orientation. Overall, using "left outstanding" provides a clear indication that something requires further attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution rather than the act of leaving something undone.

still pending

Emphasizes that something is waiting to be addressed or completed.

yet to be resolved

Highlights the future need for resolution.

remaining unsettled

Indicates a lack of finality or agreement.

outstanding issues

Noun phrase emphasizing the problems that are unresolved.

unfinished business

Idiomatic expression implying tasks or matters that require completion.

unresolved matters

Highlights the lack of a solution or decision.

uncompleted items

Focuses on the lack of completion rather than the act of leaving.

outstanding debts

Specific to financial contexts, referring to unpaid amounts.

unaddressed concerns

Emphasizes issues that have not been given attention.

FAQs

How can I use "left outstanding" in a sentence?

You can use "left outstanding" to describe tasks, issues, or debts that haven't been resolved. For example, "Several questions were "left outstanding" after the meeting".

What's a synonym for "left outstanding"?

Alternatives include "remaining unresolved", "still pending", or "yet to be resolved" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "remaining outstanding" or "left outstanding"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "left outstanding" implies a more active role in leaving something unresolved, while "remaining outstanding" suggests a more passive state of being unresolved.

What does it mean when something is described as "left outstanding"?

It means that it has not been completed or resolved and requires further action or attention. It implies something has been "left unpaid" or "left unresolved".