is not settled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not settled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that a situation, agreement, conflict, etc. has not reached a resolution. Example: The feud between the two families is not settled and tensions remain high.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not settled yet".

The New York Times

This, however, is not settled political science.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet all is not settled.

The New Yorker

And this is not settled law.

The Guardian

But this question is not settled.

The New York Times - Health

I say the science is not settled.

The Guardian

The science is not settled, not by a long shot.

The New York Times

"The science is not settled on this," Mr. Perry said.

The New York Times

The safety of glyphosate is not settled science.

The New York Times

The final makeup of the legislature is not settled.

The Washington Post

But the issue of side effects is not settled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not settled" to convey that a decision, outcome, or understanding has not yet been reached or finalized. It's suitable when discussing ongoing debates, unresolved issues, or uncertain futures.

Common error

Avoid using "is not settled" when describing situations that have already been definitively resolved or decided. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where uncertainty or ongoing deliberation exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not settled" functions as a stative expression indicating that a particular issue, situation, or decision remains unresolved or uncertain. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, confirming its grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

37%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not settled" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate that a matter is unresolved or uncertain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific discussions. While alternatives like "remains unresolved" or "has not been decided" exist, "is not settled" effectively communicates a lack of finality. The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has not been decided

Emphasizes the absence of a final decision.

remains unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution of an issue.

is yet to be determined

Stresses that a conclusion is pending.

is still in question

Emphasizes the debatable nature of a topic.

is still open

Highlights the ongoing nature of a discussion or decision.

is not yet clear

Highlights the lack of clarity on a particular matter.

is up in the air

Indicates a high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability.

remains to be seen

Suggests that the outcome is uncertain and will be revealed in the future.

is under discussion

Indicates that a topic is currently being considered.

is contingent

Highlights that it depends on certain circumstances or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "is not settled" in a sentence?

You can use "is not settled" to indicate that something is uncertain or unresolved. For example, "The matter of inheritance "has not been decided", and the issue "is not settled"".

What are some alternatives to "is not settled"?

Alternatives include "remains unresolved", "has not been decided", or "is still open" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is not settled" in formal writing?

Yes, "is not settled" is appropriate for formal writing and can be used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What's the difference between "is not settled" and "is not finalized"?

"Is not settled" implies a lack of resolution or agreement, whereas "is not finalized" suggests that something is still in the process of being completed or officially approved. While similar, "is not finalized" focuses more on the completion stage.