that leaves only

USAGE SUMMARY

"that leaves only" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a situation in which a choice has been narrowed down to one remaining option. For example: "After considering all the options, that leaves only one choice for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That leaves only Ohio.

The New York Times

That leaves only digital retouching.

The New York Times

That leaves only the West.

The New York Times

That leaves only men to debate.

The New York Times

That leaves only thirteen million dollars.

The New Yorker

That leaves only toys and comics.

The Economist

That leaves only 39 backbenchers.

The Guardian

That leaves only the Netherlands and Italy.

The Guardian

Theoretically, that leaves only one spot open.

The New York Times - Sports

That leaves only two major Alpine tunnels open for business.

The New York Times

That leaves only Subaru and Honda with those bragging rights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that leaves only", ensure the context clearly establishes what options were previously available and how they were eliminated. This provides clarity and logical flow to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that leaves only" when there were never multiple options in the first place. This phrase implies a process of elimination, so ensure there was an initial set of possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that leaves only" functions as a transitional phrase, indicating the result of a process of elimination. It introduces the single remaining option or possibility after others have been excluded. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is valid and the examples from Ludwig demonstrate that.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that leaves only" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a single remaining option following a process of elimination. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase serves to highlight and emphasize the last remaining possibility. While grammatically correct, the phrase is most effective when the context clearly establishes prior options and their exclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase's high frequency and consistent application make it a valuable tool in conveying logical conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that only leaves

Inverts the order of "only" and "leaves" while retaining the core meaning.

that just leaves

Substitutes "only" with "just", suggesting a slightly less emphatic limitation.

leaving only

Omits the "that" for a more concise phrasing, with identical meaning.

that exclusively leaves

Replaces "only" with "exclusively", emphasizing the exclusivity of the remaining option.

that solely leaves

Replaces "only" with "solely", which also emphasizes the exclusive nature of the remainder.

that uniquely leaves

Utilizes "uniquely" instead of "only" to highlight the singularity of the remaining option.

that ultimately leaves

Implies that after a process, the final result is a single remaining option. Adds a sense of finality.

that consequently leaves

Indicates that the remaining option is a direct consequence of previous actions or events.

that eventually leaves

Suggests that the process of elimination took time, leading to the remaining option.

that boils down to

Shifts the focus to the end result of a simplification process, where one option is the essential remainder.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that leaves only" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "that exclusively leaves", "that solely leaves", or "that uniquely leaves". Each of these emphasizes the singular nature of the remaining option.

Is it ever incorrect to use "that leaves only"?

The phrase is grammatically correct. However, avoid using it if there weren't actually multiple options to begin with or if the elimination process isn't clear. Ensure logical context before deploying the phrase.

What is the difference between "that leaves only" and "that just leaves"?

The phrase "that just leaves" is a slightly less emphatic way of saying "that leaves only". It implies a less restrictive limitation or a slightly less important remaining option.

Can I use "that leaves only" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "that leaves only" might sound less elegant. Consider restructuring the sentence to improve flow or use alternatives that are easier to start sentences with.