has remained elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

"has remained elusive" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been difficult to find or achieve. For example, "The answer to this riddle has remained elusive for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Job growth has remained elusive.

The New York Times

But profitability has remained elusive.

The New York Times - Tech

But a political solution has remained elusive.

The New Yorker

But the man himself has remained elusive.

The Economist

But that goal has remained elusive.

The New York Times

Political progress, meanwhile, has remained elusive.

The New York Times

The underlying pitting mechanism has remained elusive.

Electrochimica Acta

But the cause of the extinctions has remained elusive.

Science Magazine

However, the trigger for sprouting has remained elusive.

Science Magazine

Thus for many years the search for physically based methods has remained elusive.

Advances in Space Research

Finding a treatment for diabetes that does not have side effects has remained elusive.

Clinical Phytoscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has remained elusive", ensure that the subject is clearly defined. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what is difficult to find or achieve.

Common error

While "has remained elusive" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we couldn't find it" or "it's still a mystery" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has remained elusive" functions as a verbal phrase that describes a state of being unattainable or difficult to grasp. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common usage across various domains, indicating a sustained inability to achieve or comprehend something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has remained elusive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something that has been difficult to find, achieve, or understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most often in scientific and news-related contexts, indicating a formal tone. While it's perfectly acceptable to use, be mindful of its formality and consider simpler alternatives for casual settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in the subject to avoid any ambiguity. Remember it is more appropriate for formal writing, academic papers, or news articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not been found

Focuses on the absence of discovery, rather than the difficulty in finding.

has defied understanding

Emphasizes the resistance to comprehension, implying a complex or paradoxical nature.

has proven difficult to achieve

Highlights the challenges in attaining a specific goal or outcome.

has stayed out of reach

Suggests something desirable that has been consistently unattainable.

has resisted detection

Emphasizes the inability to identify or locate something, often in a scientific or investigative context.

has not come to light

Indicates that information or a truth has not been revealed or discovered.

has avoided resolution

Implies a problem or issue that has not been successfully addressed or solved.

has escaped definition

Focuses on the lack of a clear or precise explanation.

has not been pinned down

Suggests an inability to specify or confirm something definitively.

has evaded capture

Emphasizes the act of escaping or avoiding being caught, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How can I use "has remained elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "has remained elusive" to describe something that has been difficult to find, achieve, or understand. For example, "A political solution "has remained elusive" despite numerous attempts to negotiate."

What are some synonyms for "has remained elusive"?

Alternatives include "has not been found", "has defied understanding", or "has stayed out of reach" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has remained elusive" in all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "has remained elusive" is more suitable for formal writing, academic papers, or news articles. In informal contexts, consider using simpler and more direct alternatives.

What's the difference between "has remained elusive" and "has been difficult"?

"Has remained elusive" implies a persistent and perhaps mysterious difficulty, whereas "has been difficult" is a more general statement of challenge. The former is often used when efforts to find or understand something have been ongoing but unsuccessful.