remain alive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'remain alive' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of different contexts to mean that something is ongoing, continuing, persistent, or enduring. For example, "Despite the difficult times, our spirit of hope will remain alive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet they remain alive.

The Guardian - Sport

But their playoff hopes remain alive.

The New York Times - Sports

"The problem of Palestine will remain alive".

The New York Times

She eats to remain alive and functioning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An epic must flow to remain alive.

The New York Times - Books

Remember me with love and I remain alive.

The New York Times

Rangers' aspirations of a quadruple remain alive, but only just.

The Guardian - Sport

The company's strategy is simply to remain alive.

Harvard Business Review

Two other recipients of the device remain alive.

The New York Times

Her amazing smile will remain alive in our hearts forever.

The New York Times

But inequality and old-style regional politics clearly remain alive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain alive" when you want to emphasize the continuation of life or existence, especially in situations where survival is uncertain or threatened. For instance, "Despite the harsh conditions, the plant managed to "remain alive"".

Common error

Avoid using "remain alive" in very casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "stay alive" or "survive" might sound more natural. "Remain alive" can sometimes sound overly formal in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain alive" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the continuation of life or existence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across different domains. The phrase implies that a subject continues to exist, often despite challenging circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain alive" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express the continuation of life. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reports, emphasizing the ongoing state of existence. While alternatives like "stay alive" or "survive" may be more suitable in informal settings, "remain alive" carries a neutral to formal tone, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing scenarios. The frequent use in scientific and academic sources underscores its reliability in more formal contexts, even though it is prevalent in news media too. Understanding the subtle differences between "remain alive" and its alternatives will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay alive

Focuses more directly on the act of continuing to live, often implying effort or struggle.

continue to live

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of living, often in the face of challenges.

survive

Highlights the ability to persist through difficult circumstances.

endure

Implies lasting through hardship or adversity.

persist

Suggests a determined continuation of existence.

keep existing

Simple and direct way of expressing continued existence.

maintain existence

More formal and emphasizes the preservation of life.

live on

Often used metaphorically to describe the continuation of a legacy or memory.

not perish

Focuses on avoiding death or destruction.

hold out

Suggests resisting a threat to one's existence.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain alive" to describe a situation where someone or something manages to continue living, often against the odds. For example, "The patient is fighting hard to "stay alive" after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to "remain alive"?

Some alternatives include "continue to live", "stay alive", and "survive". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "remain alive" and "stay alive"?

"Remain alive" often implies a more prolonged or continuous state of being alive, while "stay alive" can suggest a more immediate or active effort to avoid death. Both are similar, but the context might make one more appropriate. It's a subtle variation, consider synonyms like "persist" or "endure".

When is it most appropriate to use "remain alive" in writing?

Use "remain alive" in contexts where you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of survival, particularly when facing challenges or adverse conditions. This phrase works well in both formal and scientific writing, as seen in the Ludwig examples.