left working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left working" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that someone is still engaged in work after others have left, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "After everyone else had gone home, she was left working late into the night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

In this way the few officers left working the streets know the burial is complete.

Princeton University

Druga (left) working with a young collaborator on her Cognimates platform.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"When I began, three decades ago, very few people were left working on shipworms," Distel said.

The New Yorker

The Kuchars may be the only real underground filmmakers left working in American today.

The New York Times

Then Trump walked away and left working people holding the bag.

The Washington Post

Strong leaders are needed to develop such alliances and fight back against the forces that nearly destroyed the economy and have left working Americans in the lurch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

(B) Jilun Li (left) worked with students.

Protein & Cell

Shevy Smith, left, works with Brooklyn students.

Huffington Post

I leave work around 5pm.

The Guardian

What time do you normally leave work?

The Guardian - Money

I left work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone continuing to work, consider using more precise alternatives like "remained working" or "continued working" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "left working" when you mean someone continued working after others departed. It's often clearer to say they "remained at work" or "continued to work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left working" functions as a verb phrase, often indicating a state of being in a job or role that remains ongoing or was relinquished by someone else. However, it's often considered grammatically questionable as identified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left working" is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. However, Ludwig's AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, advising the user to favor more explicit alternatives such as "remained working" or "continued working". While frequently used, especially in informal contexts, adhering to stricter grammatical standards enhances clarity and precision in formal writing. Therefore, consider the context and audience when using "left working", and opt for more grammatically sound alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was still working

Indicates the ongoing nature of work at a particular time.

continued working

Emphasizes the uninterrupted continuation of labor.

kept working

Stresses the persistence in carrying out work.

remained at work

Focuses on the location and continuation of work.

stayed working

Highlights the act of remaining to work.

persisted in working

Highlights the determination to continue working despite difficulties.

pressed on with work

Suggests a determined advancement in completing tasks.

labored onward

Emphasizes the continuous and perhaps difficult nature of the work.

maintained work

Focuses on the act of keeping employment or a job.

sustained effort

Implies continuous and prolonged exertion.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "left working" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases such as "remained working", "continued working", or "stayed at work" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "left working" considered formal or informal English?

While "left working" appears in various sources, it's generally considered less formal and potentially grammatically incorrect. For professional or academic writing, opt for alternatives like "remained on the job" or "continued their work".

How can I use "left working" in a sentence correctly?

While "left working" is generally discouraged, if you intend to convey that someone was abandoned in a working state, rephrase to emphasize abandonment. For example, "They were "abandoned while working"" is clearer.

What's the difference between "left working" and "remained working"?

"Left working" is often perceived as grammatically incorrect or awkward. "Remained working" is a more grammatically standard way to express that someone continued to work, while others did not.