remain incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain incomplete" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is not finished or has not reached completion. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a work in progress, a task that was not fully completed, or a situation that has not been resolved. Example: Despite several attempts, the puzzle still remains incomplete as the final piece is missing. Here, "remain incomplete" suggests that the puzzle has not reached its final state of completion, as it is missing a piece. This phrase can also be used to describe a document, project, or idea that is still in progress and has not yet been finalized.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Europe will remain incomplete & unfulfilled.

The New Yorker

Casualty figures remain incomplete, and the estimated toll varies between 500 and 800 dead.

The New York Times

In that respect, the product will remain "incomplete" through life [1].

Procedia Manufacturing

While the emerging evaluation evidence of their usefulness have been generally promising, overall determinations remain incomplete.

Journal of Criminal Justice

His day job, discovering a way to break the global dominance of Novak Djokovic, is likely to remain incomplete.

Independent

As a result, most post-market studies promised by drug companies have never been started, and, of those which have, nearly three-quarters remain incomplete.

The New Yorker

Even when, at the end of the book, her own story suggests a closure of a kind, all those others' stories remain incomplete, still insisting on our attention.

The Guardian - Books

In America, it took generations for blacks, women, and gays and lesbians to win the rights of citizenship — rights that, in many instances, remain incomplete.

The New Yorker

And several systemically important emerging economies (including Brazil, China and Turkey) have slowed, while their transitions to new growth models remain incomplete.

The Guardian - Business

The stories of the ecology of whale falls and the evolution of Janirid isopods will remain incomplete until detailed species surveys, taxonomic revisions and ecological observations are done.

The Guardian

The Parkland flare-up underscores how efforts to quell the spread of such online conspiracies remain incomplete on platforms that derive profits by attracting eyeballs en masse.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain incomplete" to precisely indicate that something has not reached its final, intended state. This suggests that further work or additions are necessary for completion.

Common error

Avoid using "remain incomplete" when you actually mean something is flawed or imperfect. "Incomplete" refers to a lack of finalization, whereas "imperfect" refers to the presence of flaws or shortcomings within something that may be finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain incomplete" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating that a subject continues to exist in an unfinished condition. According to Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys that something hasn't reached completion. The examples showcase its use across various domains, emphasizing that something is still lacking or requires further action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

49%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remain incomplete" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is unfinished or lacking essential elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While seemingly simple, it's important to distinguish it from similar terms like "imperfect". By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively use this phrase to convey the ongoing or unfinished nature of a subject with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persist as unfinished

Emphasizes the continuing state of being unfinished, adding a sense of duration or persistence.

be left undone

Focuses on the action that was not completed, implying a passive or neglected state.

stay unfulfilled

Implies a lack of satisfaction or achievement, shifting the focus to the emotional or aspirational aspect of incompleteness.

prove to be pending

Highlights that something is not resolved. It's usually waiting for something to happen or to be decided.

endure as partial

Highlights that something only has some of the parts, being in a temporary and unstable stage.

stay outstanding

Implies something is unresolved and waiting to be dealt with.

continue to be lacking

Highlights the absence of something necessary, pointing to a deficiency that prevents completion.

carry on as fragmented

Implies broken into pieces or disconnected.

be known as rudimentary

Highlights that something is an initial stage, not completely developed.

linger as deficient

Suggests a prolonged state of inadequacy or imperfection, carrying a slightly negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain incomplete" to describe tasks, projects, or studies that haven't been finished. For example: "The investigation will "remain incomplete" until all the evidence is gathered."

What are some alternatives to saying "remain incomplete"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "stay unfulfilled", "be left undone", or "persist as unfinished" instead of "remain incomplete".

Is it better to say "remains incomplete" or "remain incomplete"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "remains incomplete" for singular subjects (e.g., "The project remains incomplete.") and "remain incomplete" for plural subjects (e.g., "The tasks remain incomplete.").

What's the difference between "remain incomplete" and "become incomplete"?

"Remain incomplete" suggests that something started but never finished and continues in that state. "Become incomplete" implies something was once complete but has since lost necessary parts or steps.