left unsolved

USAGE SUMMARY

"left unsolved" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You could use it when describing something that is unresolved or has yet to be figured out. For example, "The mystery of the disappearance still remained left unsolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Some puzzles are best left unsolved.

The New York Times

It is concluded that quite important design problems have been left unsolved.

Advances in Space Research

Until recently it was a puzzle that 99% of Britons would happily have left unsolved.

The Economist

The problem was simple, but would have disastrous consequences if left unsolved.

The New York Times

The big puzzle left unsolved by the code is: how does nature create its forms?

The Guardian - Books

The episode tried to mention all the plots that were left unsolved last season.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

But it still leaves unsolved the problem of going from the individual back to the general.

The New York Times - Books

But this leaves unsolved the still more difficult problem – why do they eat too much?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is the riddle that Houellebecq deliberately likes to leave unsolved.

The Guardian - Books

The problems Mr. E. leaves unsolved will simply demand solution in the mid-sixties, e.g. the missile race, the Berlin issue.

The New Yorker

Emerging studies point out spermatozoa progressive motility as the most important predictor of fertility provided that the analysis was carried out with infertility duration, thus leaving unsolved problem to evaluate the spontaneous testicular damage during the very early phase in varicoceles.

Medical Hypotheses

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left unsolved" to emphasize the act of something being neglected or not resolved, particularly when assigning responsibility or highlighting a lack of action. You can use it to convey the idea that a solution was possible but not achieved.

Common error

While "left unsolved" itself isn't inherently passive, overuse of passive constructions can weaken your writing. Instead of "The problem was left unsolved", consider "They left the problem unsolved" to emphasize who failed to address the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left unsolved" functions as a past participle phrase modifying a noun. It describes a state of being unresolved or not having been solved. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a valid and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "left unsolved" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that remains unresolved. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, indicating its versatility. When using "left unsolved", be mindful of the potential for passive voice and consider alternative phrasings like "remained unresolved" or "outstanding issues" for nuanced meaning. Remember that "left unsolved" emphasizes the inaction that lead to the lack of solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved problems

Directly refers to the issues that have not been dealt with.

remained unresolved

Focuses on the state of being unresolved rather than the act of leaving it that way.

mysteries unsolved

Highlights the mysterious nature of the unresolved issue.

unanswered questions

Shifts the focus to the questions themselves rather than the act of leaving something.

pending resolution

Implies that a resolution is expected or being sought.

problems unaddressed

Emphasizes the lack of attention or action towards the problem.

outstanding issues

Highlights that the problems are still present and need to be addressed.

unsettled matters

Emphasizes the lack of a final decision or agreement.

unclarified points

Focuses on the lack of clarity or explanation.

ignored issues

Highlights that something was left because it wasn't considered important

FAQs

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

You can use "left unsolved" to describe problems, mysteries, or issues that have not been resolved or answered. For example: "The case remained "left unsolved" due to lack of evidence."

What's a more formal way to say "left unsolved"?

More formal alternatives include "remained unresolved" or "outstanding". For instance, "The matter remained unresolved" sounds more formal than "The matter was "left unsolved"".

Which is correct, "left unsolved" or "remained unsolved"?

Both "left unsolved" and "remained unsolved" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Left unsolved" emphasizes the action of someone failing to solve it, while "remained unsolved" simply states the fact that it wasn't solved.

What can I say instead of "left unsolved"?

You can use alternatives like "unresolved", "unanswered", or "outstanding issues" depending on the specific context. For example, "The issue is still "unresolved"".