what is left

USAGE SUMMARY

"what is left" is a perfectly grammatical and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to ask about something that has been reduced to its remaining parts after some of it has been taken away. For example, "We took half the cookies out of the jar - what is left?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

What is left of IS in Syria?

BBC

So what is left?

The Economist

What is left?

The New York Times

"Justice Scalia: What is left?

The New York Times

What is left, then?

Cornell University

I take what is left".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Take what is, leave what isn't.

HuffPost

So, what was left?

The New York Times

So what's left?

The New York Times - Arts

"What's left here?

The New York Times - Arts

What's left?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is left", ensure the context clearly indicates what has been removed or consumed. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what is left" when the context does not involve a reduction or depletion. Instead, use phrases like "what exists" or "what is available" if nothing has been removed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is left" functions as a noun phrase or a clause acting as a noun. It typically introduces a question or statement about the remaining portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is left" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for inquiring about or describing the remainder after a reduction or change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes what has been depleted or removed. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "what remains" or "what's leftover" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what remains

Focuses on the portion that still exists, emphasizing persistence.

what's leftover

Emphasizes the residue or surplus from a process.

what's outstanding

Highlights the part that has not yet been addressed or completed.

what is outstanding

Highlights the part that has not yet been addressed or completed.

the remainder

A more formal way to refer to the remaining amount or portion.

the residue

Implies a leftover substance or trace after a process.

what persists

Focuses on what continues to exist despite challenges or changes.

the balance

Refers to the amount remaining, often in financial or quantitative contexts.

the remnant

Suggests a small, often insignificant, remaining part.

the aftereffect

Focuses on the consequences or results that linger after an event.

FAQs

How can I use "what is left" in a sentence?

Use "what is left" to inquire about the remaining portion after something has been used, removed, or depleted. For example, "After the storm, what is left of the city?"

What are some alternatives to "what is left"?

You can use alternatives like "what remains", "what's outstanding", or "what's leftover" depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "what is left"?

Yes, "the remainder" or "the residue" can be used as more formal alternatives to "what is left", especially in written communication.

When is it inappropriate to use "what is left"?

It's inappropriate if there hasn't been any reduction or depletion. Instead, consider using phrases like "what exists" or "what is available".