left until

USAGE SUMMARY

"left until" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was allowed to remain in its current state until a certain point in time. For example, "We left the project until the next day to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There are six days left until Thursday's trading deadline.

The New York Times - Sports

Schwarz toy store with four shopping days left until Christmas.

The New Yorker

Our most bizarre discovery, however, was left until last.

The Guardian - Travel

24 hours left until @POTUS's final State of the Union.

Independent

There are only 33 days left until Election Day.

The New York Times

England maintain control, shifting gradually left until Botha knocks on.

The Guardian - Sport

The Rangers have three games left until their summer break.

The New York Times - Sports

These are best left until cold before eating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She couldn't do that, though; we never left until she did.

The New York Times

Decisions on Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand will be left until much later in the summer.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We only have two weeks left.' Until what?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left until" to clearly indicate that something is intentionally being kept in its current state until a specific time or event. This avoids ambiguity about whether the delay is intentional or accidental.

Common error

Be specific about the time or event that triggers the change. Instead of saying "The decision was left until later", specify "The decision was left until the next board meeting" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left until" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a time-based condition. It specifies the duration or point in time when a certain action or decision is deferred. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left until" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating that something is deliberately postponed until a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms that "left until" is a correct and usable phrase. While its use spans across various domains, including news, science, and general writing, specific guidance on avoiding vague time references ensures clarity. Related phrases like "postponed until" or "deferred until" offer suitable alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deferred until

This term emphasizes a formal postponement to a specific later time.

postponed until

This implies a temporary delay, often with the intent of rescheduling.

delayed until

Focuses on the act of causing something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

held off until

This suggests a deliberate decision to wait before taking action.

reserved until

This phrase indicates something is being kept for a specific future purpose or time.

tabled until

Common in formal settings, this means an item is put aside for later discussion.

shelved until

This suggests an indefinite delay, possibly with no intention of revisiting.

put off until

Indicates procrastination or avoidance of a task until a later time.

carried over until

This term means something is moved to a subsequent period or time.

left to

A more general phrase that suggests something is entrusted or allowed to remain until someone or something else.

FAQs

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

The phrase "left until" is used to indicate that something is allowed to remain in its current state until a particular time or event. For example, "The final decision was left until the end of the meeting."

What is a synonym for "left until"?

Alternatives for "left until" include phrases like "postponed until", "delayed until", or "deferred until". The choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "left until"?

Yes, "left until" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It clearly conveys the idea of something being allowed to remain as it is until a specified point.

What's the difference between "left until" and "waited until"?

"Left until" implies that something is deliberately not addressed or changed, whereas "waited until" suggests someone is actively delaying action pending a specific event. For example, "The problem was left until the manager returned", versus "We waited until the manager returned to address the problem."