remain outstanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain outstanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is still unresolved or has not yet been addressed. Example: "Several issues from the last meeting remain outstanding and need to be discussed further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both suspects remain outstanding.

The New York Times

The violations remain outstanding.

The New York Times

But several questions remain outstanding.

The Economist

A host of issues remain outstanding.

The New York Times

About $600 million of debt would remain outstanding at East Coast Power and its subsidiaries.

The New York Times

Belco's outstanding preferred stock will remain outstanding once the deal is completed.

The New York Times

The Treasury didn't force the banks to write down these loans, and billions in balances remain outstanding.

The New York Times

Many of the concerns Roberts identified remain outstanding, and require urgent scrutiny by government, funding agencies and scientists.

The Guardian

Not only did they give the actor a new lease of life; they remain outstanding within the genre.

The Guardian

Several cases remain outstanding, including the prosecution of Anthony Chiasson, a co-founder of the once-prominent hedge fund Level Global Investors.

The New York Times

But in a letter made public by the prosecution service on Friday, Assistant Police Commissioner John Yates said that "there remain outstanding public, legal and political concerns".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain outstanding" to clearly indicate that certain tasks, issues, or debts have not yet been completed or resolved. It's a professional way to maintain clarity in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding" when you mean "standout" or "remarkable". "Outstanding" typically refers to something unfinished or unresolved, while "standout" describes something exceptional. Use "standout" or similar words when referring to positive qualities rather than uncompleted tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain outstanding" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating that something is still unresolved, pending, or has not yet been completed. Ludwig AI shows that it is often used to describe issues, debts, or tasks that require further attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain outstanding" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is unresolved, pending, or uncompleted. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to differentiate its meaning from words like "standout", which describe exceptional qualities. The phrase is appropriate for neutral to professional registers, emphasizing the need for further action or attention regarding specific issues or tasks. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can effectively convey the status of unfinished matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain unresolved

Focuses specifically on the lack of resolution for issues or problems.

remain pending

Highlights that something is waiting to be finalized or decided.

remain unsettled

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or finality regarding a matter.

remain due

Specifically refers to obligations or payments that have not yet been fulfilled.

are still open

Suggests that a topic or discussion is not yet closed or concluded.

persist

Highlights the continuous existence of something, often a problem or difficulty.

are yet to be addressed

Emphasizes that something needs attention but hasn't received it yet.

stay uncompleted

Directly indicates that a task or project is not finished.

continue to excel

Shifts the meaning to excellence and ongoing high performance.

endure remarkably

Emphasizes long-lasting positive qualities despite challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain outstanding" to describe unresolved issues, debts, or tasks. For example, "Several questions "remain unresolved" regarding the new policy" or "The invoice payment "remains due".".

What are some alternatives to "remain outstanding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""remain unresolved"", "are still open", "remain pending", or "are yet to be addressed".

Is it better to use "remains outstanding" or "remain outstanding"?

The choice between "remains outstanding" and "remain outstanding" depends on the subject. Use "remains outstanding" for singular subjects (e.g., "The issue remains outstanding") and "remain outstanding" for plural subjects (e.g., "Several issues remain outstanding").

What's the difference between "outstanding" and "standout"?

"Outstanding" typically describes something that is not yet completed or resolved, while "standout" describes something that is exceptionally good or noticeable. To avoid confusion, use "exceptional" or "remarkable" instead of "standout" when talking about qualities.