left to do

USAGE SUMMARY

"left to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that still needs to be completed, or it can be used to refer to things that have yet to be accomplished. For example, "We still have a lot of work left to do before the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

What is left to do?

The New York Times

Nothing left to do but laugh.

The New York Times

There is plenty left to do.

The Economist

There's nothing left to do.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's what I have left to do".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, there was something left to do.

The New York Times

There is work left to do.

The New Yorker

"We have a lot left to do.

The New York Times

I have too much left to do.

The Guardian - Opinion

So there is only one thing left to do".

The New York Times - Books

The only thing left to do was replace it altogether.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "left to do" to describe obligations, ensure the subject is clear. For instance, instead of "Much is left to do", specify "We have much work left to do".

Common error

Ensure the phrase "left to do" is not used in a vague or ambiguous manner. Instead of saying "There's nothing left to do", specify what action is no longer required or what situation has been fully addressed to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to do" functions as a postpositive adjective modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating remaining tasks or actions. Ludwig's examples show its use in various sentences highlighting unfinished business, like "There is plenty left to do" or "There is much work left to do".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left to do" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating remaining tasks or actions. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. Its function is primarily to emphasize the need for further action, and it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Common alternatives include "remaining to be done" and "yet to be completed". The frequency of its usage across various authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, underscores its relevance and reliability in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining to be done

Emphasizes the unfinished aspect and the need for completion. Slight change in wording.

yet to be completed

Highlights the incomplete status, focusing on tasks that are still outstanding. More formal.

still needs doing

Indicates an ongoing requirement, suggesting that action is still necessary. More informal.

outstanding tasks

Focuses on the tasks themselves as being uncompleted. More business oriented.

work in progress

Describes something actively being worked on, but not yet finished. Implies progress is underway.

tasks remaining

Directly states the existence of uncompleted tasks. Simplifies the phrase structure.

unfinished business

Suggests something important needs to be resolved or completed. More figurative.

incomplete actions

Highlights actions that have not been fully carried out. More formal.

pending items

Refers to items awaiting attention or completion. More common in project management contexts.

to be accomplished

Focuses on the future achievement of goals or tasks. Slight shift towards accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "left to do" in a sentence?

You can use "left to do" to indicate remaining tasks or actions, as in "We have a lot of work "left to do" before the deadline" or "All that's "left to do" is pack!".

What is a more formal way to express "left to do"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "yet to be completed" or "remaining to be done", which emphasize the unfinished nature of tasks in a professional context.

Is it better to say "much left to do" or "much work left to do"?

While both are grammatically correct, "much work "left to do"" is more specific and clearer, avoiding potential ambiguity. The inclusion of "work" clarifies the nature of the remaining tasks.

What's the difference between "things to do" and "left to do"?

"Things to do" generally refers to a list of tasks or activities, while ""left to do"" specifically indicates what remains to be accomplished after some progress has been made.