left to be done

USAGE SUMMARY

"left to be done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that a task is still incomplete or pending. For example: "There is still much work left to be done before we can begin the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But there's work left to be done.

The New Yorker

After several operations, there is nothing left to be done.

The Guardian

But there is so much left to be done.

The New York Times

But plenty is left to be done, Dr. Marks said.

The New York Times

"They won a small battle, and a lot is left to be done".

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a huge amount that's left to be done," Mr. Lang said.

The New York Times - Arts

The larger gains for Europe and Japan reflect the amount of deregulation left to be done.

The Economist

Look at your career, what you've accomplished and what you feel is left to be done.

The New York Times

We go in and assess these buildings and see what's left to be done.

The New York Times

There's a lot of work left to be done, but at least he's on our soil".

The New York Times

Mr. Marzuki acknowledged that much work was left to be done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left to be done" to emphasize that a task is not yet complete and requires further attention. It's suitable for situations where you want to highlight the remaining effort.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "left to be done" if active voice would create a clearer, more direct statement. For example, instead of "Much work is left to be done", consider "We still have much work to do".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to be done" functions as a postpositive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often 'work', 'task', 'things', 'amount') to indicate incompletion. This grammatical role is supported by Ludwig examples, where it consistently describes the state of pending tasks or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "left to be done" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that tasks or actions are still incomplete. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily to highlight the need for further effort. It sees frequent usage in news and media, business, and scientific contexts. While correct, you should be mindful of potentially overusing passive voice in writing and consider whether an active voice might be more impactful. Exploring alternatives such as "remaining to be done" or "yet to be completed" can provide additional clarity or emphasis depending on your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining to be done

Focuses on what specifically remains, rather than a general state of incompletion.

yet to be completed

Highlights the aspect of something needing to be finished.

outstanding tasks

Refers to specific items needing attention, rather than a general state.

incomplete tasks

Directly states that certain tasks have not been finished.

work in progress

Implies that the task has started but is not yet finished.

outstanding items

Similar to 'outstanding tasks' but can refer to more general items.

unfinished business

Suggests important matters that still need resolving.

to be accomplished

Emphasizes the achievement aspect of the remaining work.

jobs to be done

Highlights the practical aspect of tasks needing completion.

pending actions

Focuses on specific actions that are waiting to be carried out.

FAQs

What does "left to be done" mean?

The phrase "left to be done" means that some tasks or actions are still incomplete and require further attention or effort.

What can I say instead of "left to be done"?

You can use alternatives like "remaining to be done", "yet to be completed", or "unfinished business" depending on the context.

How do I use "left to be done" in a sentence?

You can use "left to be done" to indicate that a task is not yet finished. For example, "There is still a lot of work left to be done on this project".

Is "work left to do" the same as "left to be done"?

While similar, "work left to do" is often more direct and active. "Left to be done" is more passive, emphasizing the state of incompletion. Consider the nuance when choosing between them.