remain inconspicuous

USAGE SUMMARY

"remain inconspicuous" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to remain unobtrusive or not draw attention to oneself. An example sentence could be: "He tried to remain inconspicuous in the crowded room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

When you do check back, give your child a reassuring wave, but remain inconspicuous.

The New York Times - Sports

He lighted a cigarette and tucked himself into an alcove, doing his best to remain inconspicuous.

The New York Times

Actress from Hollywood visiting New York trying hard to remain inconspicuous, as she does her best to be noticed.

The New Yorker

She prefers to remain inconspicuous, yet hints with mischief that that desire is the "hallmark of the predator who prefers to be watcher, not watched.

The Guardian - Books

Ultimately, his efforts to remain inconspicuous failed: four minutes later, an irate Fifa official arrived on the touchline, informing the linesman of Namdar's mistake.

The Guardian - Sport

Su-yeon, the younger, mostly cowers and tries to remain inconspicuous, but Su-mi does a fair amount of acting out: she's apparently inconsolable, and we know from the opening that she has spent time in a psychiatric institution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Plus, if he remained inconspicuous he could watch what happened next.

The New Yorker

Protocol decrees that when a new administration arrives the old one quietly departs and, at least for a while, defers to its successor by remaining inconspicuous.

The New York Times

He somehow remained inconspicuous even as he imposed flowing tempos and held a small army of forces in near-ideal balance.

The New Yorker

Even as he began laying the groundwork for his run for mayor, the comptroller remained inconspicuous enough that several political operatives quipped that he was "walking for mayor".

The New York Times

Perhaps being gaudy in a part of the spectrum that mammals cannot see enables male birds to show off to females while remaining inconspicuous to mammalian predators.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain inconspicuous", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's avoiding detection, blending in, or simply not drawing attention.

Common error

While "remain inconspicuous" is generally correct, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. In such cases, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "maintain a low profile" or "eschew prominence" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain inconspicuous" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of being unnoticeable or avoiding attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remain inconspicuous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the idea of avoiding attention or blending in. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, although alternatives may be preferable in highly formal writing. Its prevalence in news, science, and general-knowledge sources underscores its widespread applicability. When choosing to use "remain inconspicuous", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and avoid overusing it in overly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay unnoticed

Focuses on not being observed or detected.

blend into the background

Highlights the act of merging with the surroundings.

keep a low profile

Emphasizes avoiding publicity or drawing attention.

stay under the radar

Indicates avoiding scrutiny or detection.

avoid drawing attention

Directly states the action of not attracting notice.

remain unseen

Focuses on not being visually detected.

not stand out

Highlights the quality of not being noticeable or different.

go unnoticed

Emphasizes the result of not being observed.

keep out of sight

Focuses on physically avoiding being seen.

maintain a low visibility

Highlights the act of reducing one's prominence or noticeability.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain inconspicuous" to describe someone or something avoiding attention, such as, "The spy tried to remain inconspicuous in the crowd."

What are some alternatives to "remain inconspicuous"?

Alternatives include "stay unnoticed", "blend into the background", or "keep a low profile".

Is it better to say "remain inconspicuous" or "stay inconspicuous"?

"Remain inconspicuous" and "stay inconspicuous" are both correct, but "remain" often implies a more deliberate or prolonged effort to avoid attention.

What's the difference between "remain inconspicuous" and "remain unnoticed"?

"Remain inconspicuous" suggests avoiding drawing attention, while "remain unnoticed" implies not being observed at all. The first is active, the second passive.