is still to be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

"is still to be seen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not yet been observed or is still unknown. For example: - The true extent of the damage caused by the hurricane is still to be seen. - The effects of the new policy are still to be seen. - The reason for his sudden disappearance is still to be seen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

But whether the evangelicals will be decisive is still to be seen.

The Guardian

Whether the church dictums will influence Tuesday's vote is still to be seen.

The New York Times

Whether this is what he delivered is still to be seen.

The Guardian - Business

It is still to be seen if its approach will work with much larger numbers of families.

The New York Times

[But] whether that translates into a change in consumer behaviour I think is still to be seen.

The Guardian

At 90, he is still to be seen in the paddock at Monza, popping in and out of the Ferrari pit.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

But it's still to be seen.

The New York Times

His tomb and a monument to his memory were still to be seen in Athens in the 2nd century ad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Russian troops, meanwhile, were still to be seen in the town (they did not finally leave the East until 1994).

Independent

Siena has lanterns and banner holders attached to the facades of its palaces, and lanterns are still to be seen at Lucca and a few other towns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At any rate signs reading "Central Hanover Bank" are still to be seen on either side of the door, and over it is another sign: "Chock full of nuts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is still to be seen" to express uncertainty about future outcomes or developments. It's particularly effective when discussing potential consequences or the results of ongoing processes.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing "is still to be seen" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "remains to be determined" or "further research is needed" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is still to be seen" functions as a modal expression of uncertainty or future possibility. It indicates that the outcome or result of something is not yet known or determined. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is still to be seen" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey uncertainty about future outcomes. As evidenced by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its acceptability and widespread use, suggesting that it's a reliable way to express pending results or undetermined conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains to be seen

Emphasizes a future determination; slightly more concise.

yet to be determined

Focuses on the lack of a decision or conclusion.

the future will tell

A more idiomatic and less formal way of expressing future revelation.

time will tell

Similar to "the future will tell" but more concise.

has yet to be revealed

Emphasizes that the information is currently hidden or unknown.

remains uncertain

Highlights the state of doubt or unpredictability.

the outcome is unclear

Focuses on the ambiguity of the final result.

it is not yet known

States directly that the information is presently unknown.

we have yet to find out

Emphasizes the ongoing search for information.

is anyone's guess

Indicates high uncertainty and reliance on speculation.

FAQs

How can I use "is still to be seen" in a sentence?

Use "is still to be seen" to express uncertainty about a future outcome. For example, "Whether the new policy will be effective "is still to be seen"."

What can I say instead of "is still to be seen"?

You can use alternatives like "remains to be seen", "yet to be determined", or "time will tell" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is still to be seen" or "remains to be seen"?

Both "is still to be seen" and "remains to be seen" are correct and have similar meanings, expressing uncertainty about a future outcome. "Remains to be seen" is often considered slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "is still to be seen" and "is yet to be seen"?

While both phrases convey uncertainty, ""is still to be seen"" is more common. "Is yet to be seen" can sometimes imply a longer waiting period or a greater degree of anticipation. However, the difference is often negligible.