remain at large

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain at large" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is not being held in police custody or has not been tracked down by law enforcement. Example: The suspect in the robbery remains at large.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They remain at large.

The New York Times

Both remain at large.

The New York Times

Three remain at large.

The New York Times

The suspects remain at large.

The New York Times

The men remain at large.

The New York Times

The attackers remain at large.

Independent

The vandals remain at large.

The New York Times

Two more Iranian suspects remain at large.

The New York Times

They remain at large in Mexico.

The New York Times

The real killers remain at large.

The Economist

Two other defendants remain at large.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain at large" when specifically referring to individuals who are wanted by law enforcement and have not been apprehended. Ensure the context clearly indicates this situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "remain at large" is generally reserved for formal or journalistic contexts. Avoid using it in casual conversation; instead, opt for phrases like "still on the run" or "hasn't been caught yet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain at large" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state of a subject (usually a person or group of people) who have not been captured or apprehended by authorities. As seen in Ludwig, it is generally used in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remain at large" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used primarily in news and formal contexts to describe individuals who are wanted by law enforcement but have not been captured. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and context. When writing, be mindful of the intended audience and choose alternative phrases like "still on the run" for informal settings. Understanding its grammatical function, purpose, and register ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not yet apprehended

Emphasizes the state of not being caught.

fugitive from justice

Formally describes someone avoiding legal proceedings.

evade capture

Focuses on the act of avoiding being captured.

fled and not captured

Specifies both the action of fleeing and the state of not being captured.

elude authorities

Highlights the act of avoiding law enforcement.

escaped and uncaptured

Highlights the escape and the subsequent lack of capture.

still on the run

Suggests an active effort to avoid capture.

out of custody

States the person is not being held.

at liberty

Implies freedom because of not being captured

unaccounted for

Indicates that the person's whereabouts are unknown, often used in a broader context.

FAQs

How can I use "remain at large" in a sentence?

Use "remain at large" to indicate that someone, typically a suspect or criminal, has not been captured by authorities. For example, "The suspects in the bank robbery "remain at large"."

What's the difference between "at large" and "in custody"?

"At large" means someone is not captured or imprisoned, while "in custody" means someone has been arrested and is being held by law enforcement.

What can I say instead of "remain at large"?

You can use alternatives like "still on the run", "has not been apprehended", or "evading authorities", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "remains at large"?

Yes, "remains at large" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The suspect "remains at large"."