remain elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain elusive" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has not been found or captured, or something that is difficult to understand or explain. For example, "The answer to this problem has remained elusive for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both remain elusive goals.

The Economist

The details remain elusive.

The New Yorker

Certainly, bargains remain elusive.

The New York Times

Solutions remain elusive, though.

The Guardian

But certain items remain elusive.

Independent

But further details remain elusive.

The Guardian

Pieces of the puzzle often remain elusive.

The New Yorker

Clues about Al Qaeda remain elusive.

The New York Times

Yet her characters' inner worlds remain elusive.

The New York Times - Books

More objective measures remain elusive.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Beliefs and practices remain elusive.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain elusive", ensure the subject is clearly defined. For example, instead of "answers remain elusive", specify "the answers to these questions remain elusive".

Common error

Avoid using "remain elusive" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to find" or "unclear" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain elusive" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being difficult to find, catch, understand, or achieve. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples show it modifying nouns like "details", "solutions", and "mechanisms".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain elusive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something that is difficult to find, understand, or achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone. Related phrases include "remain mysterious" and "remain unattainable". When using this phrase, it's best to specify the subject clearly and avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternative expressions can be used for simplification when communicating casually.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain unreachable

Focuses on the inability to attain or connect with something.

remain mysterious

Highlights the enigmatic and puzzling nature of something.

remain inaccessible

Emphasizes the difficulty in gaining access or understanding.

remain unfulfilled

Suggests that a goal or expectation has not been met.

remain unavailable

Focuses on the lack of availability or obtainability.

remain fugitive

Implies an active attempt to avoid capture or discovery.

remain unrealized

Highlights the failure to come to fruition or be brought into being.

remain difficult

Emphasizes the challenging nature of achieving or understanding something.

remain illusory

Suggests that something is deceptive or not as it appears.

remain unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of achieving something.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain elusive" to describe something that is difficult to find, understand, or achieve. For example, "The cause of the disease "remains elusive" despite years of research".

What can I say instead of "remain elusive"?

You can use alternatives like "remain mysterious", "remain unattainable", or "remain unclear" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "remain elusive" or "is still elusive"?

Both "remain elusive" and "is still elusive" are grammatically correct. "Remain elusive" is slightly more formal and often used in writing, while "is still elusive" can be used in both spoken and written contexts.

What's the difference between "remain elusive" and "prove elusive"?

"Remain elusive" implies something has consistently been difficult to find or understand. "Prove elusive" suggests something initially seemed attainable but turned out to be difficult to achieve. The first implies a constant state, while the second implies a process.