it remains unknown how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it remains unknown how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has not yet been determined, established, or understood. For example, "It remains unknown how the virus was transmitted from person to person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it remains unknown how long D. cylindrus gametes remain viable, how far larvae can disperse, and therefore how isolated existing populations are from one another.

BMC Ecology

At the moment it remains unknown how Zn is transferred to its target molecule.

Plosone

At present, it remains unknown how full-length BRCA2 folds and associates with its binding partners in three dimensions.

Cell Reports

However, it remains unknown how this affects long-term stability.

Electrochimica Acta

Furthermore, it remains unknown how memory is impacted by drug treatments for schizophrenia.

Biological Psychiatry

It remains unknown how many similar problematic mathematical terms exist in the theory.

Britannica

However, it remains unknown how consolidation impacts the effectiveness of voluntary suppression of unwanted emotional memories.

Nature

However, it remains unknown how. Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the flagellar motor in Bacillus subtilis.

Nature

However, it remains unknown how 8OG is accommodated in the active site as a template base for the incoming ATP.

Stanford University

Thus, it remains unknown how a brain region involved in a particular experimental condition is engaged in natural conditions.

Stanford University

Giant pandas forage discriminately, but it remains unknown how nutritional hierarchical levels and landscape configuration heterogeneity affect foraging patch selection.

Biological Conservation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it remains unknown how" to introduce areas where understanding is incomplete, especially in research papers or reports. It sets the stage for further investigation or speculation.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive constructions with "it remains unknown how". While appropriate in some contexts, varying sentence structure can enhance readability. Consider rephrasing with active constructions where possible to make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it remains unknown how" functions as an introductory clause that acknowledges a lack of understanding or knowledge regarding a particular process, mechanism, or phenomenon. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in scientific and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

85%

Academia

10%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it remains unknown how" serves as a formal and common way to introduce gaps in knowledge within academic and scientific writing. Ludwig AI validates this usage, highlighting its prevalence in scientific and academic sources. While grammatically correct, varied sentence structure is recommended to enhance readability. Consider alternatives like "the mechanism remains unclear" to avoid repetition. The phrase effectively signals the need for further research and sets the stage for exploring unanswered questions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The mechanism remains unclear

Focuses on the mechanism itself being not well understood.

It is still not understood how

Emphasizes the ongoing lack of understanding.

The process is not yet fully elucidated

Highlights that the process is not completely explained.

The reasons for this are yet to be determined

Shifts focus to the reasons behind a phenomenon.

Further research is needed to understand how

Emphasizes the necessity of additional investigation.

The underlying causes are not fully known

Concentrates on the unknown causes of something.

We do not yet know how

Uses a more direct and personal tone.

The exact method is still a mystery

Emphasizes the mysterious nature of the unknown.

How this occurs is still not known

Inverts the sentence structure while retaining meaning.

The means by which this happens are obscure

Indicates that the means are vague and not easily understood.

FAQs

How can I use "it remains unknown how" in a sentence?

Use "it remains unknown how" to introduce a topic or aspect that is not yet fully understood or explained. For instance, "It remains unknown how this new drug interacts with existing medications."

What are some alternatives to "it remains unknown how"?

Alternatives include "the mechanism remains unclear", "it is still not understood how", or "further research is needed to understand how" depending on the context.

Is "it remains unknown how" formal or informal?

"It remains unknown how" is generally considered formal and appropriate for academic, scientific, or professional writing. It's less common in informal conversation.

What makes "it remains unknown how" a useful phrase in research?

The phrase highlights gaps in current knowledge, indicating areas that require further investigation. It sets the context for presenting new research questions or hypotheses.