remain agnostic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain agnostic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a position of neutrality or lack of commitment to a particular belief or opinion, often in discussions about controversial topics. Example: "In the debate over climate change, I choose to remain agnostic until more conclusive evidence is presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather, one should remain agnostic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now I remain agnostic on every one.

The New York Times - Arts

1) After a week's worth of reading, I remain agnostic about Davis's actual guilt or innocence.

The New York Times

One could admire Copernicus's mathematical abilities and simply remain agnostic on the question of Earth's motion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Along with most casino patrons, I remain agnostic about the moral and social considerations.

The New York Times

The makers of "Life on Mars," it seems, would prefer to remain agnostic about such questions.

The New York Times

Doing so lets us appreciate religious love and understanding, even if we remain agnostic regarding religious knowledge.

The New York Times

While I remain agnostic about the numbers, I was sure about one thing, and pretty much proven right.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the details of how it chooses between the two are something that, until the advent of quantum computing, most physicists chose to remain agnostic about.

The Economist

In any case, to the question, "May we properly remain agnostic about whether Zeus ever existed?" the answer is "Yes, we may".

The New York Times

We should, then, make room for those who embrace a religion as a source of love and understanding but remain agnostic about the religion's knowledge claims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain agnostic" when you genuinely want to express neutrality or a lack of conviction, especially in situations where taking a side could be perceived as biased or premature. It's suitable for academic discussions, debates, or any context where objective evaluation is key.

Common error

Avoid using "remain agnostic" as a way to evade difficult conversations or avoid forming a well-informed opinion. While neutrality is valuable, it should stem from genuine uncertainty, not a lack of engagement or critical thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain agnostic" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a state of uncertainty or neutrality. Based on the examples in Ludwig, it often appears in discussions where definitive knowledge is lacking or where taking a side would be premature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain agnostic" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a state of neutrality or uncertainty, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it communicates a lack of commitment to a specific belief. When writing, consider alternatives such as "stay neutral" or "reserve judgment" to fine-tune your message, and avoid using the phrase simply as a way to sidestep thoughtful engagement. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's appropriateness for objective discussions where impartiality is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay neutral

Focuses on maintaining a position that doesn't favor any side.

keep an open mind

Emphasizes willingness to consider different viewpoints before forming an opinion.

reserve judgment

Highlights the act of withholding a decision until more information is available.

take a noncommittal stance

Stresses the avoidance of making any firm promises or taking definitive actions.

refrain from taking sides

Emphasizes actively avoiding alignment with any particular faction or belief.

sit on the fence

Implies indecisiveness, often in the face of a difficult decision.

adopt a wait-and-see attitude

Focuses on waiting for further developments before making a decision.

decline to commit

Highlights a deliberate choice to avoid expressing a firm opinion or making a definitive promise.

hold no opinion

Indicates a complete lack of preference or belief on a matter.

be undecided

Emphasizes the lack of a settled decision or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "remain agnostic" in a sentence?

You can use "remain agnostic" to express a neutral stance on a topic. For example, "I "remain agnostic" about the effectiveness of the new policy until I see more data".

What is a more formal way to say "remain agnostic"?

A more formal alternative to "remain agnostic" could be "reserve judgment". This phrasing is appropriate for academic or professional settings.

Is it better to "remain agnostic" or "stay neutral"?

Both ""remain agnostic"" and "stay neutral" express a lack of bias. "Remain agnostic" often implies a lack of knowledge or certainty, while "stay neutral" can suggest a conscious choice to avoid taking sides.

What does it mean to "remain agnostic" about something?

To "remain agnostic" about something means to neither affirm nor deny it, typically because you believe there isn't enough evidence to form a definitive opinion. It suggests a position of uncertainty or open-mindedness.