only question left

USAGE SUMMARY

"only question left" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that there is no other question to ask or consider. For example: "After analyzing the situation, the only question left is: What is the best course of action?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The only question left was, How?

The New Yorker

The only question left is what will happen at Christmas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The only question left is whether it will use it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only question left is: Why isn't Scott Brown delivering the State of the Union?

The New York Times

The only question left, perhaps, is whether voters will be listening at all.

The New York Times

The only question left is whether the frugal innovators who come out on top will use forks or chopsticks.

The Economist

The only question left in the newly appointed colonel's mind was whether his troops would be allowed to prove their martial capacities on the battlefield.

The New York Times

The only question left is whether they want Gilmore to join him as the tanaiste (deputy prime minister) when the votes are counted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The only questions left were how imminent that threat was and how and when to stop it.

The New York Times

He entered the straightaway so far ahead that the only questions left were how much he would win by and would he break the world record.

The New York Times - Sports

The only questions left unanswered were: how soon would it happen, would the Tehran government attempt to secretly circumvent the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action otherwise known as the P5+1 agreement and what, if anything, either covertly or publically, would the United States and its European allies do in the event the Iranian violations were discovered?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the only question left" to clearly indicate that all other aspects of a situation have been resolved, and only one issue remains to be addressed. It signals a narrowing of focus.

Common error

Avoid using "the only question left" when multiple questions or issues still need to be resolved. It implies a singular focus that doesn't match the situation. Instead, use a phrase like "several questions remain" or "issues to address".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only question left" functions as an idiomatic expression to introduce the final point of inquiry or uncertainty in a given situation. It often serves to highlight the critical remaining aspect after other considerations have been addressed, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

TechCrunch

11%

Vice

6%

Less common in

Huffington Post

3%

BBC

2%

Wikipedia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only question left" is a commonly used phrase to pinpoint the final remaining issue in a discussion or situation. As Ludwig confirms, it’s grammatically sound and widely accepted. You'll find this expression across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and tech-related articles. Remember to use it when you truly want to emphasize the singularity of a final question, and be mindful of avoiding its misuse when multiple issues persist. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "the only question left" to bring clarity and focus to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only thing remaining is

Focuses on the remaining aspect as a thing rather than a question.

the sole outstanding issue is

Replaces "question" with "issue" and uses more formal vocabulary.

the single remaining concern is

Substitutes "question" with "concern", implying a worry or problem.

all that remains to be seen is

Emphasizes the aspect of waiting and observing the outcome.

the only point left to consider is

Replaces "question" with "point", indicating something to think about.

the final matter to address is

Uses more formal language, focusing on a specific item needing attention.

the last unresolved item is

Highlights the lack of resolution as the primary aspect.

what remains to be determined is

Focuses on the act of finding out the answer or solution.

the only uncertainty is

Highlights the lack of sureness as the main focus.

the remaining unknown is

Shifts the emphasis to the unknown element of the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the only question left"?

You can use alternatives such as "the only thing remaining is", "the sole outstanding issue is", or "the single remaining concern is depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the only question left"?

Use "the only question left" when all other aspects of a situation are settled, and you want to emphasize the single remaining point of uncertainty or discussion. It's used to signal a narrowing of focus to a final issue.

What's the difference between "the only question left" and "the main question"?

"The only question left" indicates that all other questions have been answered, and this is the final one. "The main question" simply identifies the most important question, but doesn't necessarily mean other questions have been resolved.

Is "the only question left" formal or informal?

"The only question left" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it suitable for a wide range of communications, from academic papers to casual conversations.