there must be leftover vs there must be leftovers

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'There must be leftover' is not commonly used and might sound awkward. 'There must be leftovers' is the more common and natural way to express the idea of remaining food or items.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 613 views

there must be leftover

This phrase is technically correct but not commonly used in English.

This phrase can be used to refer to a singular leftover item or a general sense of something remaining, but it is less common and might sound awkward to native speakers.

Show examples from the web [+]

The reform of the institutions needed to enable this enlargement to take place must be carried out now and there must be no Nice leftovers, in any case definitely not the Amsterdam leftovers.
But those had to be leftovers, just quickly rearranged to cover it up.
But, FYI, there will be leftover turkey and pesto sammies in the fridge.
You can take home our leftovers.
I'm taking your leftovers home.
For tourists there's only leftovers...
Nothing turns leftovers into swans like aluminum.
Nothing turns leftovers into swans like aluminum.
The leftovers of an unimaginable explosion.
I got some leftover kettlewell corn...
So please stop eating this leftover pizza.
Second instar maggots on our cannibal's leftovers.
Besides, tonight is our annual leftover dinner.
Leftover from getting my teeth done.
Most people do leftovers on Thanksgiving.
There's leftovers in the yourself.
Guard's dumping somebody's leftovers.
Might be some leftovers behind the restaurant.
The leftover alien cells have changed my essential DNA.
That lovely beef stew saved for leftovers.

Alternatives:

there must be leftovers
there must be something leftover
there must be some leftover
there must be a leftover
there must be a few leftovers

there must be leftovers

This phrase is the more common and natural way to express the idea of remaining food or items.

This phrase is commonly used to refer to remaining food or items after a meal or an event. It is the preferred choice in everyday English.

Show examples from the web [+]

The reform of the institutions needed to enable this enlargement to take place must be carried out now and there must be no Nice leftovers, in any case definitely not the Amsterdam leftovers.
But those had to be leftovers, just quickly rearranged to cover it up.
But, FYI, there will be leftover turkey and pesto sammies in the fridge.
You can take home our leftovers.
I'm taking your leftovers home.
For tourists there's only leftovers...
Nothing turns leftovers into swans like aluminum.
Nothing turns leftovers into swans like aluminum.
The leftovers of an unimaginable explosion.
I got some leftover kettlewell corn...
So please stop eating this leftover pizza.
Second instar maggots on our cannibal's leftovers.
Besides, tonight is our annual leftover dinner.
Leftover from getting my teeth done.
Most people do leftovers on Thanksgiving.
There's leftovers in the yourself.
Guard's dumping somebody's leftovers.
Might be some leftovers behind the restaurant.
The leftover alien cells have changed my essential DNA.
That lovely beef stew saved for leftovers.

Alternatives:

there must be something leftover
there must be some leftover
there must be a leftover
there must be a few leftovers
there must be some food left

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there must be leftover vs there must be leftovers