was left open

USAGE SUMMARY

"was left open" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to something that was not closed or finished. For example, "The possibility of a new agreement was left open after the negotiations ended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could see what ground was left open and use those openings to appeal to some Republican (and independent) voters.

Huffington Post

The front door was left open.

The New Yorker

"An operation that was left open".

The New Yorker

The stone was left open for offerings from the public.

The New York Times

The person who was left open, Bryant said, was Gasol.

The New York Times - Sports

The dues payment was left open to consideration.

The New York Times

"Her e-mail account was left open," Walling said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The draft guidance was left open to interpretation".

The New York Times

"I think the door was left open," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Senate seat was left open by Herb Kohl, a Democrat who is retiring.

The New York Times

At similar tanks in New York and Washington State, the question was left open.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was left open" to clearly indicate that a decision, possibility, or physical space remained accessible or unresolved at a specific point in time.

Common error

Avoid using "was left open" when the actor responsible for leaving something open is relevant and should be specified. Instead of "The door was left open", clarify with "She left the door open" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was left open" functions primarily as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action (leaving something open) was performed on a subject, with the actor often unspecified. This is supported by Ludwig which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Huffington Post

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was left open" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something remained accessible, unresolved, or incomplete, confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its prevalence across diverse fields, from news and media to scientific publications, highlights its broad applicability. While the passive voice can sometimes obscure agency, in many contexts, it serves to emphasize the state of being open or unresolved. When choosing alternative phrases, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as possibility, lack of closure, or continued accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution or decision regarding something.

was not finalized

Highlights the absence of a final or complete form.

was kept available

Emphasizes the continued accessibility or possibility of something.

was not closed off

Indicates that something was not completely shut down or excluded.

stayed pending

Suggests that something is awaiting further action or decision.

was not addressed

Focuses on the lack of attention or handling of a particular issue.

was deferred

Implies that something was postponed or delayed.

was presented as an option

Highlights that something could still happen.

was deliberately vague

Underscores the lack of precision intentionally.

was subject to review

Highlights that something is awaiting a further assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "was left open" in a sentence?

You can use "was left open" to indicate that something remained accessible, unresolved, or incomplete. For example, "The investigation "remained unresolved" due to lack of evidence".

What can I say instead of "was left open"?

You can use alternatives like "stayed pending", ""remained unresolved"", or "was not finalized" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was left open" or "is left open"?

"Was left open" indicates a past action or state, while "is left open" indicates a present or ongoing state. Use "was" when referring to something that happened in the past.

What's the difference between "was left open" and "was opened up"?

"Was left open" suggests something remained accessible or unresolved, whereas "was opened up" implies something was made accessible or initiated.