pieces left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pieces left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to remaining parts or portions of something, often in contexts like puzzles, food, or tasks. Example: "After the party, there were only a few pieces left of the cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The only pieces left in the museum are two hefty sections of the walls.

The New York Times

The two "Rex" pieces left most people in the audience teary-eyed with laughter.

The New York Times

"Last year, instead of having 2,000 pieces, companies had 10,000 pieces left over.

The New York Times

It is one of the only outdoor pieces left by Haring, who died of AIDS in 1990.

The New York Times - Arts

The design of "(500) Days" suggests a puzzle with a few crucial pieces left in the box.

The New York Times

"There could be some pieces left," Mr. Tittel said, "but they would be environmentally sensitive or just junk property".

The New York Times

I am left here on the sidelines asking questions to put together the pieces left by this personal tragedy.

The Guardian

In recent years American conservatism has found a new voice, a new way of picking up the political pieces left in the wake of liberal policies.

Harvard University

The reliefs in IV were very fine but the pieces left are only part of the representations of offerings [15-11-86] apparentlyntly without interest.

Harvard University

Many items that have long been displayed in museums do not have precise paperwork showing how the pieces left their countries of origin.

The New York Times - Arts

Like a musical retrospective, we were going through decades of songs no one has ever heard, pieces left on the cutting room floor from every album.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to components of a puzzle, use "pieces left" to indicate progress or completion status. For instance, 'With only a few "pieces left", the puzzle was nearly finished.'

Common error

Avoid using "pieces left" to describe abstract concepts or emotions unless you are explicitly drawing a metaphor to physical fragments. For example, instead of saying 'There were "pieces left" of his shattered dreams', opt for 'fragments' or 'remnants' to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "pieces left" typically functions to describe the state of a noun, indicating that only some parts or portions of the original whole remain. Ludwig's analysis supports this, demonstrating usage across diverse contexts from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

19%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pieces left" is a versatile phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, used to describe remaining fragments or portions of something. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. While its register is generally neutral, it’s important to use it appropriately, especially in abstract contexts, to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "remaining pieces" or "leftover pieces" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining pieces

Focuses on the fact that these are the parts that still exist.

leftover pieces

Implies that the pieces are remnants after something has been used or consumed.

remaining fragments

Similar to 'remaining pieces' but suggests smaller, broken parts.

surviving fragments

Highlights the endurance or resilience of the remaining parts, especially after damage or destruction.

residual components

Emphasizes the technical or scientific nature of the remaining items.

unclaimed parts

Implies that the pieces are available but not yet taken or assigned.

unspent portions

Suggests a resource that hasn't been fully used or allocated.

discarded segments

Highlights that the pieces were intentionally thrown away or rejected.

scraps remaining

Refers to small, often unusable, bits that are left behind.

unutilized elements

Focuses on components that were not used or integrated into a final product.

FAQs

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

You can use "pieces left" to describe remaining parts of a whole, such as "After the storm, only a few "pieces left" of the roof remained" or "There are only two "pieces left" in the box".

What are some alternatives to saying "pieces left"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "remaining pieces", "leftover pieces", or "surviving fragments".

Is it better to say "pieces left" or "remaining pieces"?

Both "pieces left" and "remaining pieces" are correct, but "remaining pieces" might sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

Can "pieces left" refer to abstract concepts?

While typically used for tangible items, "pieces left" can be used metaphorically for abstract concepts like memories or emotions, suggesting that only fragments remain. However, ensure clarity in your writing when doing so.