remain doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'remain doing' is not correct and should not be used in written English.
Instead, you might use the phrase 'continue doing' which means the same thing. For example, "I will continue doing my homework until it is finished."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Like pieces of shrapnel, they have to be extracted one at a time, but a few always seem to remain, doing a great deal of damage.

The New York Times

In Canada, almost half of the women are exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months while only 13.8% remain doing so at 6 months.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those who do remain do the job with enthusiasm.

Independent

But those files that remain did provide a consistent picture.

The Guardian

And the few that remain do so precariously.

The New York Times

Now the only workshops that remain do special requests, like engraving.

The New York Times

Now the 850 employees who remain do their work in ordinary office buildings.

The New York Times - Arts

We also need to show that voting remain doesn't mean voting for the status quo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Likewise, the intention to remain did not have a positive impact on learning motivation, nor did training satisfaction.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

And that's where my bottom lines will remain: Does this bill cover all Americans?

Huffington Post

Questions remain: does fibrinogen infusion influence endogenous fibrinogen synthesis?

British Journal of Anaesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "remain doing" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives like "continue to do" or "keep doing".

Common error

Using "remain" with a gerund directly is not standard English. Instead of "remain doing", use "continue to do" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain doing" attempts to function as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English. Correct alternatives include "continue to do" or "keep doing".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain doing" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. While some instances may be found in various sources, it's advisable to avoid this construction in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives like "continue to do" or "keep doing" to clearly and correctly express the continuation of an action. Ludwig's analysis suggests that it's better to adhere to established grammatical norms for clarity and professionalism. Although present in some news and scientific sources, the infrequency suggests that it is better to avoid this construction. It is advised to always rephrase your sentence to be as clear as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to do

This alternative uses "continue" instead of "remain", providing a more grammatically standard way to express the continuation of an action.

keep doing

This offers a more informal and direct way to express the ongoing nature of an action, using "keep" instead of "remain".

carry on doing

A more colloquial way to indicate continuing an action, similar in tone to "keep doing".

persist in doing

This alternative suggests a more determined or stubborn continuation of an action.

stay engaged in doing

This emphasizes the active involvement in the activity, suggesting continued participation.

maintain doing

This implies keeping the action at a certain level or standard.

hold on to doing

This suggests maintaining a grip on the activity, implying a reluctance to let go.

persevere in doing

This suggests overcoming obstacles to continue the action, emphasizing resilience.

sustain doing

Focuses on the act of maintaining or supporting the action over time.

endure in doing

Highlights the ability to withstand difficulties while continuing the action.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to express "remain doing"?

A better alternative to "remain doing" is to use "continue to do", which correctly conveys the idea of continuing an action.

Is "remain doing" ever considered acceptable in writing?

While you might find instances of "remain doing", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's safer to opt for alternatives like "keep doing".

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "remain doing" to make it clearer?

Instead of saying "They remain doing their job", try "They continue to do their job" or "They are still doing their job". The alternatives are clearer and grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "remain doing" and "continue doing"?

"Remain doing" is not a standard English construction, while "continue doing" is grammatically correct and widely accepted to mean the act of performing an activity for an extended period.