question remains open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "question remains open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular issue or inquiry has not yet been resolved or answered. Example: "Despite the extensive research, the question remains open regarding the long-term effects of the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surely the question remains open.

The Guardian

I admit the question remains open.

The New York Times

But suggestive as that is, the question remains open.

The Economist

No differences between mirror or place arrangements were detected and this question remains open.

Applied Ergonomics

If the question remains open, they could leave the earlier pages up while the debate continues.

Harvard University

And the question remains open all the way to the end.

The Guardian - Books

But the question remains open about what happens next for NextWave.

The New York Times

"The question remains open," said Bruno Racine, president of the National Library, in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Millions of words have been devoted to finding the balance, and the question remains open.

The Guardian - Books

Or does it involve something more around pro-social behavior?" For Cole, the question remains open.

The New Yorker

In the case of the KIC and its driving private-sector advocate, Hyundai Asan that question remains open.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "question remains open", ensure the context clearly identifies the unresolved question. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "question remains open" without explicitly stating or implying the question being referenced. Without clear context, the phrase loses its meaning and can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question remains open" functions as an declarative statement indicating that a particular question or issue has not yet been resolved or definitively answered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and appropriate usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "question remains open" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote that an issue is yet to be definitively resolved. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its application spans diverse fields including science, news, and academia. While maintaining a neutral register, the phrase’s communicative intent is to spotlight existing uncertainties and to foster ongoing discussion or investigation. When employing this phrase, it's vital to provide sufficient context, to explicitly mention the nature of the unresolved "question". Alternative phrasing like "issue is unresolved" or "matter is still under consideration" can also suit various tones and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue is unresolved

Replaces "question" with "issue" to broaden the scope while maintaining the sense of being unresolved.

matter is still under consideration

Indicates active evaluation or debate, suggesting no final decision has been made.

answer is yet to be determined

Focuses on the lack of a definitive answer or solution to the question.

subject is still up for debate

Highlights ongoing discussion and differing opinions about the subject.

conclusion has not been reached

Emphasizes the absence of a final agreement or settlement.

point is still open for discussion

Implies an invitation for further input and exploration of the topic.

inquiry is not yet settled

Suggests that investigation or examination is still in progress.

verdict is still pending

Conveys the expectation of a decision or judgment at a later time.

outcome is uncertain

Highlights the unpredictability or ambiguity of the final result.

status is still to be decided

Focuses on a lack of a decision about what will happen.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "question remains open" to sound more formal?

You could use alternatives like "the "matter is still under consideration"", or "the "issue is unresolved"" to convey a more formal tone.

What does "question remains open" mean?

The phrase "question remains open" means that a specific issue or inquiry has not yet been definitively answered or resolved. It implies that further discussion, research, or consideration is needed.

Is "question remains open" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "question remains open" is perfectly suitable for academic writing. It's often used to indicate areas where more research is needed or where current evidence is inconclusive.

What are some common contexts where the "question remains open"?

The phrase "question remains open" is commonly used in scientific research, news reports, and academic discussions when there's no definitive answer or when different viewpoints persist. You might encounter it when discussing things like "ethical considerations", "future implications", or "unanswered scientific curiosities".