one person left

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "one person left" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation where a group had started off with more than one person, but then only one person remained. For example, "After the others had left, only one person was left in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"One person left a note on where to find a good bathroom in Malott Hall," said Farina.

Cornell University

At least there's one person left in government who still believes in collective responsibility.

The Guardian

That leaves one person left in Cambodia from the original group of four resettled under the Australian program.

The Guardian

By summer 2018, there was just one person left to tell: Mr. Arison's father who didn't yet know his son was gay.

The New York Times

One person left cold, not warmed, by the image of Dennis Wise the cuddly daddy on Saturday was Aston Villa's George Boateng, who has accused the Chelsea captain of trying to injure him and get him sent off.

The Guardian - Sport

Julia Raeside Showrunner Ryan Murphy has promised there will only be "only one person left standing after the season finale", so steel yourself for an ultra macabre send off.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

For example, if one person leaves a negative review on the other, the subject of the review could be annoyed or offended enough to strike back with a negative review of their own.

Forbes

I am not worked up about one instance of one person leaving and being replaced as long as it is based on merit, and not on personal preference".

The Guardian

"One person leaves off; the other person picks up.

The New York Times

We've only had one person leave in six years.

The Guardian - Business

Then one person leaves the room and the other two try to guess which one left.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one person left" to clearly and concisely indicate that a group has dwindled to a single individual. Ensure the context makes it clear what the person is leaving from or what the person is left in.

Common error

Avoid using "one person left" when referring to the action of a person forgetting something. The phrase implies a departure or abandonment. Instead, use phrases like "one person forgot" or "one person overlooked".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "one person left" is to act as a clause, typically within a larger sentence, to describe a past event. It asserts that a single individual departed or remained after others had gone. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one person left" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where an individual departed or remained after others had gone, according to Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, academic, and informal settings. Usage patterns indicate high frequency in news and media, followed by academia and wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately conveys departure rather than forgetting. Consider alternatives like "only one remained" or "a single person remained" for nuanced emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is well-supported by numerous examples and is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only one remained

Focuses on the remaining individual after others have departed.

just one was left

Emphasizes the scarcity of the remaining individual.

a single person remained

Highlights the solitary nature of the remaining individual.

only one individual stayed

Uses more formal language to convey the same meaning.

one person remained behind

Adds emphasis on the act of staying while others leave.

a lone figure was left

Emphasizes isolation through figurative language.

the last one standing

Highlights survival or persistence in a competitive context.

the only one remaining

Highlights the uniqueness of the remaining individual.

just a single person remained

Combines scarcity and solitude.

one person was the sole survivor

Implies a situation of danger or hardship.

FAQs

How can I use "one person left" in a sentence?

You can use "one person left" to describe a situation where everyone else has departed, such as, "After the meeting, "one person left" to lock up the building".

What does "one person left" imply?

The phrase "one person left" suggests that an individual departed from a place, group, or situation, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

What are some alternative phrases to "one person left"?

Alternatives include "only one remained", "just one was left", or "a single person remained" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "one person has left" instead of "one person left"?

Yes, "one person has left" is also correct, using the present perfect tense to indicate that the action of leaving has been completed. The simple past, ""one person left"", is generally used to describe a completed action in the past.