it remains elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it remains elusive" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say: "Despite extensive research, the source of the ancient ruins remains elusive". It is a useful phrase to use when you want to suggest that something is hard to find or understand.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it remains elusive.

The New York Times - Tech

3.16am: And it remains elusive for the Australian.

The Guardian - Sport

But just what that something is, and what to do about it, remains elusive.

The Economist

If there is a fortune to be made at the bottom of the pyramid, it remains elusive.

The Guardian

At present, it remains elusive how EB1 promotes paclitaxel binding to microtubules.

Protein & Cell

It remains elusive whether telomeres are sufficiently reprogrammed in pES cells.

Protein & Cell

However, it remains elusive as to how epigenetic marks cooperate in the operations of regulatory network.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects

Yet, it remains elusive how the category information is encoded in the brain.

Neuroscience

However, it remains elusive whether the performance of TLE patients in the attentional networks test (ANT) is impaired.

Epilepsy Research

It remains elusive whether the H epitope/acetamido binding site is required for the Le binding strains that do not bind the H antigen.

Protein & Cell

A prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine offers the best hope to curb the HIV-AIDS epidemic gripping sub-Saharan Africa, but it remains elusive.

Immunity

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it remains elusive" to emphasize that something has been sought after or investigated extensively, yet without success. It adds a layer of intrigue and persistence to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it remains elusive" for things that are simply delayed or temporarily unavailable. 'Elusive' suggests a deeper, more persistent challenge, not just a momentary inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it remains elusive" functions as a declarative statement asserting that something continues to be difficult to find, understand, or achieve. Ludwig AI also confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it remains elusive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates something is difficult to find, understand, or achieve, even after significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and acceptable. The phrase is most commonly found in formal and scientific contexts, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to the subject matter. When writing, consider alternatives like "it is still not clear" or "it continues to evade" for slightly different nuances. However, avoid using "it remains elusive" in trivial situations where a more straightforward expression of delay or unavailability would suffice. The phrase carries a tone of persistent difficulty that should be appropriate to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is still not clear

Replaces "elusive" with a more direct expression of uncertainty.

it continues to evade

Emphasizes the persistent nature of something avoiding discovery or attainment.

it has yet to be determined

Focuses on the lack of a conclusive decision or finding.

it is still out of reach

Highlights the unattainability of something, either literally or figuratively.

it defies understanding

Stresses the incomprehensible nature of something.

it has not been fully explained

Indicates that a complete explanation is lacking.

the answer is still unknown

Directly states the absence of an answer.

it resists definition

Implies that something is difficult to categorize or precisely describe.

it is shrouded in mystery

Adds an element of intrigue and secrecy to the unknown.

the solution remains undiscovered

Highlights the absence of a solution to a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "it remains elusive" in a sentence?

Use "it remains elusive" to indicate that something is difficult to find, catch, understand, or achieve, even after considerable effort. For example, "Despite years of research, a cure for the disease "it remains elusive"".

What are some alternatives to "it remains elusive"?

Alternatives include "it is still not clear", "it continues to evade", or "it has yet to be determined", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it remains elusive" formal or informal?

"It remains elusive" is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts, such as academic writing, news reports, or professional communications. It might sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.

What makes something 'elusive'?

Something is 'elusive' when it is hard to grasp, catch, find, understand, or achieve. It implies a persistent difficulty, often despite considerable effort to do so.