remain on paper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'remain on paper' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it as a way of emphasizing that something is not yet happening or is only in the planning stages. For example, "Our ambitious plans for expansion remain on paper for now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

So far, all the proposals for court reform remain on paper.

The New York Times

The majority of its joint decisions remain on paper, partly because of continuing divisions among its members.

The New York Times

But some of the gains remain on paper, and profits that haven't been booked have to be continually adjusted to reflect price swings in the market.

The New York Times

"For all the tub-thumping rhetoric, many of their ideas will probably remain on paper". If they fail in the near term, however, there's no guarantee the centrist status quo will return.

The Washington Post

This is followed by an examination of why this plan was destined to remain on paper whilst a similar scheme – that of Baron Haussmann – became concrete ten years later.

Journal of Historical Geography

But, Mr. Banks said, "as a practical matter, relief from the court becomes a reality for individual class members rather than just rights that remain on paper when you can seek a monitor's immediate intervention rather than having to go back to court".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

She has power, but so far it has remained on paper.

The New York Times

But the outrage seems to have remained on paper — or onscreen.

The New Yorker

Mies's most important work of these years remained on paper.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The latter was set up on Jan . 1 1810, but the dumas, innocuous though they would have been, remained on paper.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kim Jong-il prevaricated, the economic reforms that Kim Dae-jung had urged remained on paper at best, while millions of North Koreans remained short of food.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain on paper" to express that an idea, plan, or agreement has not been put into action or practice. This is suitable when emphasizing the lack of tangible progress despite formalization.

Common error

Avoid using "remain on paper" interchangeably with phrases that imply complete abandonment. "Remain on paper" suggests potential for future action, whereas phrases like "shelved" or "abandoned" indicate a more definitive end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain on paper" functions as a predicate indicating that a plan, idea, or law is documented but not yet enacted or implemented. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain on paper" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that a plan, idea, or law exists in a written form but has not yet been put into action. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and usable in English. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts to highlight a discrepancy between documented intentions and tangible results. For related expressions, consider "exist only in theory" or "be just a plan". Remember to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the lack of real-world progress despite formalization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exist only in theory

Focuses on the theoretical nature of the idea, highlighting its lack of practical application.

be merely a concept

Emphasizes the conceptual stage of the idea, implying it hasn't been developed further.

be just a plan

Highlights that something is only in the planning stage, without any action taken.

not materialize

Focuses on the lack of realization or execution of something.

fail to be implemented

Highlights the failure of something to be put into practice.

be unimplemented

A more direct way of saying something hasn't been put into action.

stay theoretical

Indicates the idea is limited to theoretical discussions.

never come to fruition

Suggests a lack of ultimate success or realization.

be only on the drawing board

Highlights the early stages of planning, before implementation.

be a dead letter

Emphasizes the ineffectiveness and non-enforcement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "remain on paper" in a sentence?

You can use "remain on paper" to indicate that a plan or agreement hasn't been implemented. For example, "The proposed reforms "remain on paper" due to lack of funding".

What does it mean when something "remains on paper"?

When something "remains on paper", it means it exists in a written or planned form but has not been put into practice or action. It's still just an idea or a proposal.

What are some alternatives to saying "remain on paper"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exist only in theory", "be merely a concept", or "be just a plan", all of which suggest a lack of implementation.

Is it appropriate to use "remain on paper" in formal writing?

Yes, "remain on paper" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to convey that something hasn't been implemented yet. However, consider the context and whether a more precise term might be more appropriate.