Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
what's outstanding
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
what remains
pending items
what is left
remaining tasks
unresolved issues
unpaid balance
what is available
the remainder
the residue
the balance
the aftereffect
what still remains
what else remains
what else is there
what else is available
what other options are there
what remains true
what else is needed
remaining options
further considerations
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
"I don't know yet what's outstanding," he said.
News & Media
Start sending project progress reports of work you've completed and what's outstanding on the projects to your supervisor and your co-worker.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
The app owes much of its design and organizing principles to its iOS equivalent, and that's very good, but what's immediately outstanding about the app is the speed.
News & Media
A campaign spokesman for Mr. Hynes, Matt McGrath, said: "What the campaign is doing is trying to get a sense of what's still outstanding, and just look at the math.
News & Media
What's truly outstanding, however, is that this still feels familiar, in that way that defies explanation when you pick up an old favorite game for the first time.
News & Media
In what's been an outstanding year for British filmmaking, it's just a shame not everyone can be nominated.
News & Media
As Agüero came off on 64 minutes he walked close to Sarri, who half‑turned in a pained but gracious acknowledgement of what the league's outstanding central attacker had just done to his team.
News & Media
Geoffrey Goodman writes: My friend Denis Forman had a towering influence – notably, of course, in his magnificent work with the Bernsteins in guiding Granada TV into what became Britain's outstanding channel for television journalism.
News & Media
But the European Commission is trying to calculate what the UK's outstanding financial obligation should be when it leaves.
News & Media
What's wrong with recognizing the true outstanding player on the team and letting some kids know they should consider taking up the violin?
News & Media
He was an outstanding individual and this is what's devastating".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the contraction in neutral or semi-formal settings, such as emails or news reports, but consider expanding to "what is outstanding" in strictly formal academic or legal documents for a more authoritative tone.
Common error
Writers often use "what's outstanding" in lists where they mix tasks with achievements. Ensure that within a single paragraph or list, the term consistently refers to either 'remaining work' or 'superior work' to prevent reader confusion. For example, do not say 'Here is "what's outstanding"' followed by a list of both uncompleted chores and great successes.
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "what's outstanding" acts as a noun clause or relative clause formed by the contraction of the pronoun "what" and the verb "is", followed by the adjective "outstanding". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it typically serves as the object of a verb (e.g., "I don't know yet... ") or as a subject to introduce a specific focus point.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Formal & Business
25%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Science
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "what's outstanding" is a versatile linguistic tool that bridges functional and evaluative communication. As shown in Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in two distinct ways: to identify unresolved tasks or debts (common in business and legal reporting) and to spotlight exceptional quality or performance (common in arts and sports journalism). While its frequency is classified as rare based on exact matches, its components are ubiquitous. Writers should be mindful of the tone; while the contraction is perfectly acceptable in news and professional emails, using the full form "what is" can provide additional weight in formal documentation. Ultimately, clarity of context is the most important factor when employing this phrase to ensure your audience knows whether you are discussing a 'to-do' list or a 'best-of' list.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
what remains
Focuses strictly on items that are left over or persistent.
what is left
A more literal and less formal way to refer to remnants.
pending items
Shifts to a more task-oriented or logistical business register.
remaining tasks
A structural noun phrase often used in project management.
what is still due
Emphasizes the temporal aspect of requirements or debts.
unresolved issues
More specific when referring to problems or complexities.
what is incomplete
Focuses on the state of progress rather than the items themselves.
unpaid balance
Specifically targets the financial definition of the phrase.
what's exceptional
Captures the alternative meaning of 'outstanding' as remarkably good.
what's notable
A milder version of the 'excellent' definition of the phrase.
FAQs
How to use "what's outstanding" in a business email?
In professional emails, it is often used to request a status update on unfinished work, for example: "Could you let me know <a href="/s/what+remains" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what remains on the project?" or "I need a list of <a href="/s/pending+items" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pending items to complete the audit."
What is the difference between "what's outstanding" and "what is remaining"?
While both refer to things left over, "what's outstanding" often carries a connotation of being 'due' or 'overdue', especially in financial contexts. <a href="/s/what+is+remaining" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is remaining is a more neutral descriptor of whatever is left.
Can "what's outstanding" mean something is very good?
Yes, in many contexts found in Ludwig, it refers to excellence. You might use <a href="/s/what's+exceptional" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what's exceptional or <a href="/s/what's+remarkable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what's remarkable as synonyms when praising a performance or quality.
Which is more formal, "what's outstanding" or "what is outstanding"?
The expanded form <a href="/s/what+is+outstanding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is outstanding is preferred in formal academic and legal writing, while the contraction is standard in journalism and everyday professional communication.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
92%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested