left so far

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left so far" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the amount of something that remains or is still available up to a certain point in time or context. Example: "We have completed most of the project, but there are still a few tasks left so far."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Fifteen babies have been left so far.

The New York Times

(Very few have left so far, Mendeley's spokesperson said).

The New Yorker

Only a small fraction of these students have left so far nationwide.

The New York Times

An embassy spokesman said none had left so far but some might by the end of the week.

The New York Times

Try to imagine the present inhabitant of that office being left so far out of the loop.

The New York Times - Science

As many as two hundred thousand people out of the island's population of 3.3 million have left so far, an exodus that shows little sign of abating.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"People in Mumbai, luckily, are not leaving so far, and we hope nothing will happen.

The New York Times

Most recently, in Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria has devastated the island, leaving so far over 10 deaths, 100percentt of families without electricity and thousands more homeless.

Huffington Post

He was one of the lucky ones; few New Jersey Guard members have been given leaves so far, and not everyone is expected to get one during the year in Iraq.

The New York Times

Compact little bosses of tiny green needles stud the larch twigs, and amongst the willows the first signs of meadow-sweet are appearing, though the little leaves so far have not reached so high as the down-beaten and withered marsh grasses.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama spoke candidly of the failure of Republican economic policies that promised to lift all Americans but left so many millions far behind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate this phrase to emphasize the progress made or the distance achieved in a process, while acknowledging that there is still further action or development anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "left so far" when you intend to describe a static state without any implication of past progress or future expectations. Ensure the context involves a comparison between a previous state and the current one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left so far" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the extent or degree to which something has been excluded, overlooked, or progressed up to a certain point. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left so far" functions as an adverbial phrase to indicate the degree to which something has been omitted or progressed to a specific point in time. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is relatively rare and most commonly found in news and media contexts. For more formal or scientific writing, consider using alternative phrases such as "advanced thus far" or "achieved so far" to enhance precision. Remember to use this phrase when you want to contextualize a present state with a comparison to past actions or expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressed to date

Focuses on the advancement made up to the present time.

advanced thus far

Emphasizes the forward movement achieved until now.

reached up to this point

Highlights the specific level or stage attained.

achieved so far

Stresses the accomplishments made in a given timeframe.

completed up until now

Highlights the finished tasks or milestones.

attained up to the present

Emphasizes the current state of achievement.

so far accomplished

Reorders the phrase while maintaining similar meaning.

presently achieved

Focuses on the current level of attainment.

currently reached

Highlights the level attained in the present moment.

to this stage

Indicates the current phase in a process or journey.

FAQs

How can I use "left so far" in a sentence?

The phrase "left so far" can be used to indicate the extent to which something has been omitted or the progress made up to a certain point. For example, "The project has "progressed to date", but some tasks are "still available at this point".

What are some alternatives to "left so far"?

Alternatives include "advanced thus far", "achieved so far", or "progressed to date", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "left so far" in formal writing?

Yes, "left so far" is grammatically correct and can be used in formal writing. However, consider the specific context and whether a more precise or formal alternative like "attained up to the present" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "left so far" and "remaining"?

"Left so far" emphasizes the distance from a starting point or expectation, whereas "remaining" simply indicates what is still present or available. For example, "The team has "advanced thus far", with only a few tasks remaining.