Left vs. Remaining — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
Left often implies something was once present and is no longer, while remaining usually denotes that something still persists despite reduction. Left could be past tense; remaining is always present or future context.
Difference Between Left and Remaining
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Left" can suggest a definitive action took place that caused a reduction, often carrying a slight implication of abandonment or intentional removal. "Remaining," however, tends to convey a natural or gradual diminishment, where a portion still endures despite prior subtractions. Both words can portray that there's some part unutilized or still to be used, but their nuance shows a difference in how the remainder came to be.
The word "Left" can be seen as more abrupt or final in its implication, especially when used in past contexts, hinting at a specific point or event where something was removed or departed. "Remaining" leans more towards a continuous, often ongoing process, highlighting what is yet available without a strong focus on what caused the diminution.
In conversations, "Left" can subtly indicate an active removal or departure of a part, highlighting the absence. Whereas "Remaining" keeps the focus on what is still present or will be present, it does not emphasize the act of reduction but rather the residual or ensuing availability.
While "Left" is frequently employed in everyday casual discourse, providing a straightforward manner of indicating what's not present anymore, "Remaining" is commonly used in more formal or written contexts, offering a polished way to signify enduring availability without directly addressing the causation.
Notably, “Left” does bear an element of casualness and immediacy to it, implying a current or just-occurred reduction. “Remaining,” on the other hand, generally holds a slightly more passive or enduring connotation, signifying a leftover portion without implying a specific moment of decrease.
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Comparison Chart
Tense Application
Often used in past tense.
Primarily present/future.
Formality
Tends to be less formal.
More formal in usage.
Implication
Implies an action of leaving
Suggests natural reduction.
Focus
On the departed/used part.
On the still-available part.
Usage Context
Common in everyday speech.
Often used in writing.
Compare with Definitions
Left
Left as past tense and past participle of leave.
He left the office an hour ago.
Remaining
Remaining to describe what is left in time.
Two minutes remaining to finish the test.
Left
Left as referring to the hand that is on the left side of the body.
She wears her watch on her left wrist.
Remaining
Remaining, indicating what is left after something has been removed.
After the feast, the remaining crumbs were swept away.
Left
Of, belonging to, located on, or being the side of the body to the north when the subject is facing east.
Remaining
Remaining as left after others have gone, been used, etc.
The remaining contestants competed fiercely.
Left
Of, relating to, directed toward, or located on the left side.
Remaining
Remaining, describing what is yet to be used or dealt with.
The remaining issues will be tackled tomorrow.
Left
Located on the left side of a person facing downstream
The left bank of a river.
Remaining
Remaining as still being present or left.
The remaining cookies were eaten quickly.
Left
Often Left Of or belonging to the political or intellectual left.
Remaining
To continue in the same state or condition
These matters remain in doubt.
Left
The direction or position on the left side.
Remaining
To continue to be in the same place; stay or stay behind
We are remaining at home.
Left
The left side.
Remaining
To be left after the removal, loss, passage, or destruction of others
Only a few trees remained after the storm. ].
Left
The left hand.
Remaining
Present participle of remain
They will be remaining behind.
My remaining at the beach house kept it from being vandalized.
The remaining paint shall be properly disposed of.
Left
A turn in the direction of the left hand or side.
Remaining
An act or occurrence by which someone or something remains
Left
The people and groups who advocate liberal, often radical measures to effect change in the established order, especially in politics, with the goal of achieving the equality, freedom, and well-being of the common citizens of a state. Also called left wing.
Remaining
Which remains, especially after something else has been removed.
May I have the only remaining cake?
Left
The opinion of those advocating such measures.
Remaining
Being the remaining one or ones of several;
Tried to sell the remaining books
Left
(Sports) A blow delivered by a boxer's left hand.
Remaining
Not used up;
Leftover meatloaf
She had a little money left over so she went to a movie
Some odd dollars left
Saved the remaining sandwiches for supper
Unexpended provisions
Left
(Baseball) Left field.
Left
Toward or on the left.
Left
Past tense and past participle of leave1.
Left
Designating the side of the body toward the west when one is facing north; the opposite of right. This arrow points to the reader's left: ←
The left side.
Left
(geography) Designating the bank of a river (etc.) on one's left when facing downstream (i.e. facing forward while floating with the current); that is, the north bank of a river that flows eastward. If this arrow: ⥲ shows the direction of the current, the tilde is on the left side of the river.
Left
(politics) Left-wing; pertaining to the political left.
Left
On the left side.
Left
Towards the left side.
Turn left at the corner. NO! Your other left.
Left
Towards the political left.
The East Coast of the US leans left in elections.
Left
The left side or direction.
Left
(politics) The left-wing political parties as a group; citizens holding left-wing views as a group.
The Left left workers behind, thinking they had a winning demographic coalition. It hasn't really worked out for them yet.
Left
The left hand or fist.
Left
(boxing) A punch delivered with the left fist.
Left
(surfing) A wave breaking from left to right (viewed from the shore).
Left
Simple past tense and past participle of leave||depart, separate from; (cause or allow to) remain.
There's not much food left.
Left
Simple past tense and past participle of leave||permit.
We were not left go to the beach after school except on a weekend.
Left
Of Leave.
Left
Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action of the limbs is usually weaker than on the other side; - opposed to right, when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the left hand, or arm; the left ear. Also said of the corresponding side of the lower animals.
Left
Situated so that the left side of the body is toward it; as, the left side of a deliberative meeting is that to the left of the presiding officer; the left wing of an army is that to the left of the center to one facing an enemy.
Left
That part of surrounding space toward which the left side of one's body is turned; as, the house is on the left when you face North.
Put that rose a little more to the left.
Left
Those members of a legislative assembly (as in France) who are in the opposition; the advanced republicans and extreme radicals. They have their seats at the left-hand side of the presiding officer. See Center, and Right.
Left
Location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east;
She stood on the left
Left
Those who support varying degrees of social or political or economic change designed to promote the public welfare
Left
The hand that is on the left side of the body;
Jab with your left
Left
The piece of ground in the outfield on the catcher's left
Left
A turn to the left;
Take a left at the corner
Left
Being or located on or directed toward the side of the body to the west when facing north;
My left hand
Left center field
The left bank of a river is bank on your left side when you are facing downstream
Left
Not used up;
Leftover meatloaf
She had a little money left over so she went to a movie
Some odd dollars left
Saved the remaining sandwiches for supper
Unexpended provisions
Left
Intended for the left hand;
I rarely lose a left-hand glove
Left
Of or belonging to the political or intellectual right
Left
Toward or on the left; also used figuratively;
He looked right and left
The political party has moved left
Left
Left as a direction, opposite of right.
Turn left at the next intersection.
Left
Left, describing the political alignment that typically advocates for social equality and is in opposition to the right.
She has always identified with the left.
Left
Left, describing something that is remaining.
How much money is left?
Common Curiosities
Can "left" imply direction?
Yes, “left” can also refer to a directional orientation opposite to right.
Is "left" always indicative of the past?
Mostly yes, but "left" can also describe something remaining.
Can "remaining" imply a previous action?
Not explicitly; it denotes what’s still present without stressing prior events.
Can "remaining" be used in past tense?
No, "remaining" tends to stay in the present or future context.
Is "remaining" a more formal term?
Yes, "remaining" often appears in formal and written contexts.
Can "left" refer to a political standpoint?
Yes, "left" can indicate a political alignment that often supports social equality.
Can "left" be related to remaining?
Yes, "left" can also imply what remains, e.g., "Is there any coffee left?"
Is "left" informal?
It can be perceived as slightly more informal than “remaining.”
Can "remaining" denote leftover quantity?
Yes, "remaining" describes what’s still present after some has been used or taken.
Does "left" imply an action has occurred?
Often yes, it may suggest something was removed or has departed.
Can "remaining" refer to a specific past event?
Less so, it tends to focus on what is still present without specifying past actions.
Can "left" be used as a noun?
Yes, "left" can be a noun, especially in political contexts.
Are "left" and "remaining" interchangeable?
In some contexts yes, but careful with “left” in past tense and "remaining" in formal usage.
Can "remaining" be synonymous with "left"?
Sometimes, but "remaining" doesn’t emphasize past action like "left" might.
Is "remaining" used in casual conversation?
It can be, but it’s often seen as slightly more formal than “left.”
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
