that only leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that only leaves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate what remains or what is left after considering other options or factors. Example: "We have eliminated all other possibilities, so that only leaves the option of moving forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

That only leaves clearing out the clutter.

The Guardian

That only leaves one thing to sell: her political future.

The Guardian

That only leaves the title.' There was a pause.

The Guardian - Film

That only leaves the road open to Ukip and its ilk.

The Guardian

That only leaves one final point to make, which is familiar to all psephologists.

The Guardian

That only leaves the one group of people who would be entirely justified in striking: the fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

That only left the past.

The Guardian

But that only left me, obsessive as always, wondering if any more could be done.

The New Yorker

"These men earned average salaries that only left them tears to cry once they paid their alimony and mortgages," Father Moriggi said.

The New York Times

The Crimson tried to stem their significant size disadvantage, but that only left the Wildcats wide open on the perimeter, with Harvard susceptible for easy backdoor cuts.

The New York Times - Sports

I pointed out to Duddy that if he didn't send it and McGuinness didn't send it, that only left "Fred".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that only leaves", ensure the context makes it clear what options were previously considered and why they are no longer viable.

Common error

Avoid using "that only leaves" when the 'eliminated' options were never truly viable. This can create a false sense of deduction and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that only leaves" functions as a transitional phrase, signaling a conclusion after a process of elimination or consideration of alternatives. It indicates what remains as the sole possibility. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that only leaves" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the final remaining option after a process of elimination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and versatile, appearing across various registers from news articles to academic papers. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, suggesting its wide applicability in journalistic and expository writing. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context clearly establishes the previously considered options and their reasons for exclusion, to avoid any ambiguity or misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that just leaves

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

that simply leaves

Substitutes "only" with "simply" emphasizing the straightforward nature of the remaining option.

that means only

Changes the structure to "that means only", focusing on the implication of the preceding information.

that implies only

Similar to 'that means only' focusing on what can be understood from this

that necessarily leaves

Replaces "only" with "necessarily", implying that the remaining option is an unavoidable consequence.

that logically leaves

Substitutes "only" with "logically", suggesting the remaining option is a result of reasoning.

that consequently leaves

Replaces "only" with "consequently", indicating the remaining option is a result of something else.

that results in only

Replaces "leaves" with "results in", emphasizing the outcome of a process.

that dictates only

Substitutes "leaves" with "dictates", implying a stronger sense of constraint or necessity.

the sole remaining option is

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the singularity of the remaining option using a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "that only leaves" in a sentence?

Use "that only leaves" to show the final remaining option after ruling out others. For example, "We've tried all other solutions, that only leaves trying a new approach."

What phrases are similar to "that only leaves"?

Alternatives include "that just leaves", "that simply leaves", or "that means only", all indicating a single remaining possibility.

Is "that only leaves" formal or informal?

"That only leaves" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in diverse sources from news articles to academic papers.

What's the difference between "that only leaves" and "that leaves only"?

"That only leaves" emphasizes the exclusivity of the remaining option more strongly than "that leaves only". The former suggests a clear process of elimination, while the latter simply states the remaining possibility.