remain an issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain an issue" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to express that a situation or problem has not been resolved. For example: "Despite the decades of dialogue, the border dispute between the two nations remains an issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices remain an issue.

The New York Times

Competition will remain an issue.

The New Yorker

Supervisory problems also remain an issue.

The Guardian

"Stigma and shame remain an issue even in 2015.

The Guardian

But results on the field remain an issue.

The Washington Post

Yet chief executives' terms are likely to remain an issue, Mr. Sonnenfeld said.

The New York Times

Land rights still remain an issue especially where the best beaches are located.

The Guardian - Travel

High deductibles and copayments remain an issue for senior citizens in the US, the study concluded.

The Guardian - Money

However, correlations between these domains remain an issue in interpreting force spectroscopy data, particularly during protein folding.

Biophysical Journal

Fingerprint-based authentication has been widely implemented, however, security and privacy of fingerprint templates still remain an issue.

Pattern Recognition

But the firm's chief executive noted that losses on consumer loans remained high and would remain an issue in 2010.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain an issue", ensure the context clearly establishes what the issue is and why it persists. Be specific about the impact or consequences of the unresolved problem.

Common error

Avoid using "remain an issue" without clearly defining the issue itself. Ensure the reader understands precisely what problem persists, or the phrase becomes meaningless and lacks impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain an issue" functions as a predicate within a sentence, asserting that a particular problem or concern persists. It commonly appears after a subject that identifies the ongoing problem, as Ludwig shows in numerous examples across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain an issue" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that a problem or concern persists. As Ludwig AI points out, it's considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. While the phrase itself is relatively neutral in tone, the surrounding language can influence the overall formality. To ensure clarity, always explicitly state what the "issue" is. Related phrases such as "continue to be a problem" or "persist as a concern" offer alternative ways to express this ongoing state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to be a problem

Focuses on the persistence of a problem, similar to "remain an issue" but emphasizes the ongoing nature.

persist as a concern

Highlights the continuing worry or anxiety associated with something.

still be a challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty or obstacle aspect of the issue.

continue to pose difficulties

More formal and emphasizes the problems caused by the issue.

linger as a problem

Suggests the issue is slow to disappear or be resolved.

endure as a difficulty

Highlights the lasting nature of the challenge or problem.

carry on as a concern

Implies the issue is ongoing and may have been around for some time.

be an ongoing predicament

Emphasizes the problematic and difficult situation created by the issue.

be a persistent source of trouble

Focuses on the issue as a recurring cause of problems.

be an unresolved matter

Highlights the lack of resolution and potential for future problems.

FAQs

How can I use "remain an issue" in a sentence?

You can use "remain an issue" to indicate that a problem or concern has not been resolved and continues to be relevant. For example, "Despite the improvements, funding constraints "remain an issue" for the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "remain an issue"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continue to be a problem", "persist as a concern", or "still be a challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "remains an issue" instead of "remain an issue"?

While "remain an issue" is generally used to describe a broad or ongoing problem, "remains an issue" is correct when referring to a specific, singular subject. However, the plural form is more common. You could also say "remaining an issue".

What's the difference between "remain an issue" and "has been resolved"?

"Remain an issue" indicates that a problem is ongoing and unresolved, while "has been resolved" signifies that a problem has been successfully addressed and is no longer a concern. They are antonyms.