had remained unsolved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had remained unsolved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a problem or mystery has not been resolved up to a certain point in time, often in a narrative or analytical context. Example: "Despite numerous investigations, the case had remained unsolved for decades, leaving the community in suspense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The murder of an anti-mafia policeman in 1909 had remained unsolved until dozens of arrests in Palermo, Sicily, this week seems to have dragged up the truth.

Independent

The case had remained unsolved until investigators in the department's cold-case unit, newly bolstered as a result of the city's plummeting homicide rate, reviewed it as part of a systematic check of old files using technology that was not available at the time of the crimes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The case has remained unsolved ever since.

The Times

The murder has remained unsolved for 67 years.

The Guardian - Books

And there things have remained, unsolved – until now.

The Guardian

As a consequence, major open questions on the internal structure of the belt have remained unsolved.

Earth-Science Reviews

The case has remained unsolved since the bodies were discovered on Sept. 12, 2011.

The New York Times

The case has remained unsolved since the charges against Mr. Benitez were dropped.

The New York Times

Since the discovery of TT virus (TTV) in 1997, its mechanism of transcriptional control has remained unsolved.

Virology

The case, which helped galvanise the civil-rights movement and inspired the film "Mississippi Burning", has remained unsolved for decades.

The Economist

It focuses on an un-tensioned 2D membrane impacted transversely by a blunt-nosed projectile, a problem that has remained unsolved for a half a century.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had remained unsolved", ensure the context clearly indicates the period during which the issue remained unresolved. Providing a timeframe or reference point enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "had remained unsolved" when the issue is currently being resolved or has been resolved. This phrase implies a past state of being unsolved that is no longer true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had remained unsolved" functions as a stative verb phrase indicating a condition of being unresolved up to a certain point in the past. The auxiliary verb "had" places the state in the past perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had remained unsolved" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past state of being unresolved. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it is commonly found in news and scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the timeframe and avoid using it if the issue is currently being resolved. Consider related phrases like "had not been resolved" or "had defied solution" for nuanced expression. Remember to use the past perfect tense accurately to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had not been resolved

Replaces "remained unsolved" with a more direct synonym.

had been a mystery

Focuses on the mysterious nature of the situation.

had defied solution

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding a solution.

had eluded resolution

Highlights the evasiveness of a solution.

had gone unanswered

Implies a lack of response or clarification.

had not been figured out

Uses a more informal phrasing.

had been an open question

Emphasizes the unresolved nature of the issue as a question.

had resisted all attempts to solve

Highlights the active attempts to find a solution that were unsuccessful.

had been an enigma

Focuses on the puzzling and inexplicable nature of the situation.

had not seen closure

Implies a lack of finality or resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "had remained unsolved" in a sentence?

Use "had remained unsolved" to indicate that a problem, mystery, or question was not resolved for a period of time in the past. For instance, "The mystery of the missing jewels "had remained unsolved" for decades until new evidence surfaced".

What are some alternatives to "had remained unsolved"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had not been resolved", "had been a mystery", or "had defied solution", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "has remained unsolved" instead of "had remained unsolved"?

The choice between "has remained unsolved" and "had remained unsolved" depends on the timeframe. "Has remained unsolved" implies the issue is still currently unsolved, while "had remained unsolved" indicates it was unsolved up to a certain point in the past but may now be resolved.

What's the difference between "had remained unsolved" and "remains unsolved"?

"Had remained unsolved" refers to a past period when something was unsolved, whereas "remains unsolved" indicates that it is currently unsolved. The former is used when discussing historical contexts, while the latter is used for current situations.