is still up in the air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is still up in the air" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is uncertain or undecided. Example: "The date for the company retreat is still up in the air, as we are waiting for confirmation from the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

—A lot is still up in the air.

MIT Technology Review

This thing is still up in the air.

The New York Times - Sports

The final answer is still up in the air.

The Guardian - Books

But that bet is still up in the air.

The New York Times

But plenty is still up in the air.

The New York Times

Even the date is still up in the air.

The New York Times

Whether Cambodian comedy will be acceptable for a dissertation is still up in the air.

Princeton University

But who will run what is inside is still up in the air.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

By week's end everything was still up in the air.

The New York Times

"A lot of things were still up in the air.

Los Angeles Times

Heading into the Gator Bowl, his decision was still up in the air.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is still up in the air" when you want to convey that a decision or outcome is uncertain and has not been determined yet. It's appropriate for situations where multiple possibilities exist.

Common error

Avoid using "is still up in the air" when a clear, definitive answer is required. This phrase communicates uncertainty, so it's not suitable when presenting established facts or confirmed information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is still up in the air" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular matter is unresolved or uncertain. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in conveying a lack of finality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "is still up in the air" is a common and grammatically sound way to express uncertainty or lack of resolution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for various contexts, particularly news and media, and academia, but should be avoided when definite answers are needed. Related phrases like "remains undecided" or "is yet to be determined" can provide a more formal alternative. Remember to use this phrase when conveying that a decision or outcome is uncertain and has not been finalized yet.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains undecided

Focuses on the lack of a decision, highlighting that a conclusion has not been reached.

is yet to be determined

Emphasizes that the outcome is in the future and has not been established.

is uncertain

Directly expresses a lack of certainty about the situation.

is unresolved

Highlights the lack of a resolution or solution.

is in limbo

Suggests a state of suspension or being in between decisions.

hangs in the balance

Implies that the outcome is precarious and could go either way.

is pending

Indicates that something is waiting to be decided or completed.

has not been finalized

Emphasizes that the process is incomplete and lacking official approval.

is open to question

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about a particular aspect.

is contingent

Implies that the outcome depends on certain conditions or events.

FAQs

How can I use "is still up in the air" in a sentence?

You can use "is still up in the air" to describe situations where the outcome is uncertain or undecided. For example: "The date for the conference "is still up in the air" because we haven't confirmed the venue yet."

What phrases are similar to "is still up in the air"?

Similar phrases include "remains undecided", "is yet to be determined", or "is uncertain", all indicating a lack of a final decision or clarity.

Is it appropriate to use "is still up in the air" in formal writing?

While "is still up in the air" is widely understood, it's generally considered more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, you might opt for more precise alternatives like "remains undecided" or "is yet to be determined".

What does "is still up in the air" mean?

"Is still up in the air" is an idiom that means something is uncertain, unresolved, or yet to be decided. The origin of the idiom is related to the literal sense of something being tossed into the air and not yet landed, and thus its fate is uncertain.