one play left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one play left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the remaining number of plays or performances in a series or event. Example: "After tonight's performance, there will be only one play left in the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They had one play left, on the one-yard line.

The New Yorker

With one play left to steal a victory, five seconds remaining on the clock and the San Diego end zone 71 yards away, Manning dropped back to pass.

The New York Times

Once again, Mr. Lupo's black-box formulas worked — with one play left in the game and the blue team 20 yards from the goal, the score was tied, 2-2.

The New York Times

One play left.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Only one original play left me happily sated: Tom Stoppard's "Rock 'n' Roll" at the Royal Court Theater.

The New York Times - Arts

Who will play left back?

The New York Times - Sports

But, without in any way sentimentalising slum life, the play leaves one deeply affected by its stress on the possibility of goodness in a world of desperate deprivation.

The Guardian

Yet, in the end, the play leaves one vaguely unsatisfied.

The Guardian

Last season, Minnesota blistered the Giants in the Metrodome, 28-16; Moss was left uncovered on one play and danced backward into the end zone.

The New York Times - Sports

One problem: Soriano has never played left field.

The New York Times - Sports

Just play "Leaving".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "one play left", ensure the context clearly indicates what constitutes a 'play'. It commonly applies to sports but can be adapted to other scenarios involving strategic moves or actions within a limited timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "one play left" in contexts where 'play' might be ambiguous or misconstrued. For instance, in business negotiations, it's better to say "one move left" or "one option remaining" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one play left" primarily functions as a noun phrase that modifies a situation, typically in sports or games, to indicate that there is only one remaining opportunity to perform a strategic action or move. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one play left" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in sports contexts, to denote a single remaining opportunity for action. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, highlighting its neutral tone suitable for reporting and commentary. While its primary use is in sports, it can be adapted to other scenarios involving critical final actions, emphasizing the urgency and significance of that last chance. The phrase is generally well-understood, but it's important to ensure clarity in its usage, especially outside of sports-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last play of the game

Specifies that this play concludes the entire game.

one play to go

A more casual way of indicating that only one play remains.

final play remaining

Emphasizes that this is the absolute last play available.

only one shot left

Highlights that there is only one attempt remaining.

last chance to score

Focuses on the objective of the final play: scoring points.

the game is on the line

Underscores the high stakes riding on the outcome of the play.

one final opportunity

Highlights the significance of this single remaining chance.

the clock is running out

Shifts focus to the time constraint and impending end.

time is almost up

Indicates the near-end of the allowed time.

final seconds ticking away

Emphasizes the urgency and the scarcity of time left.

FAQs

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

You can use "one play left" to describe a situation where there's only one opportunity remaining. For instance, "With "one play left", the team needed a touchdown to win the game."

What's a more formal alternative to "one play left"?

In more formal contexts, you might use "one final opportunity remains" or "the last action available" instead of ""one play left"".

Can "one play left" be used outside of sports contexts?

While typically used in sports, ""one play left"" can be adapted to other situations where there is a final action or attempt, but clarity is key.

What does "one play left" imply about the situation?

"One play left" implies a high-pressure situation where the outcome depends significantly on the success of this single remaining action.