remain poorly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain poorly defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, terms, or ideas that lack clarity or precise meaning. Example: "Despite extensive research, the parameters of the study remain poorly defined, leading to confusion among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Treatment indications for recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) remain poorly defined.

Stanford University

Reliable criteria to predict mortality after hepatectomy remain poorly defined.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

However, the molecular components of inflammasomes and what they sense remain poorly defined.

Stanford University

The processes that regulate viral vector vaccine-elicited cellular and humoral immune responses remain poorly defined.

Harvard University

Thus, the roles of different visual areas in stereopsis remain poorly defined.

Stanford University

However, the time course, molecular design, and implementation of homeostatic signaling remain poorly defined.

Neuron

However, patterns, risk factors and treatment associated with this event remain poorly defined.

Thrombosis Research

TLR ligands (TLR-Ls) represent novel vaccine adjuvants, but their immunologic effects in humans remain poorly defined in vivo.

Stanford University

Yet the signaling events involved in chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis remain poorly defined.

The American Journal of Pathology

Although the complete genome sequence of B. amyloliquefaciens has been now published, transcript structures of B. amyloliquefaciens remain poorly defined.

Gene

However, the immunologic mechanisms involved in clearing lytic virus in the TG during primary infection remain poorly defined.

Cytokine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain poorly defined", ensure you provide context about what specifically lacks clarity. This helps readers understand the scope of the issue and why further investigation may be needed.

Common error

Avoid using "remain poorly defined" when there is some existing understanding or research on the topic. Instead, consider using phrases like "require further investigation" or "could be refined" to acknowledge existing knowledge while highlighting areas for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain poorly defined" functions as a descriptive expression indicating that a concept, process, or entity lacks clarity or precise understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples demonstrate its use across various academic and scientific disciplines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

Academia

28%

News & Media

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain poorly defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily found in academic and scientific writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates a lack of clarity or precision regarding a particular concept or process. While various alternative phrases exist, such as "remain ill-defined" or "lack a clear definition", it's essential to choose the one that best fits the specific context. When using this phrase, provide sufficient context to clarify what specifically requires further elucidation and avoid overstating the lack of existing knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain ill-defined

This alternative replaces "poorly" with "ill", offering a slightly more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of a lack of definition.

remain inadequately defined

This phrase uses "inadequately" to emphasize the insufficient level of definition, suggesting a more critical perspective.

remain insufficiently defined

Similar to "inadequately defined", this option highlights the lack of sufficient detail or clarity in the definition.

remain vaguely defined

Replacing "poorly" with "vaguely" suggests a lack of precision and a general, unclear understanding.

remain imprecisely defined

This alternative uses "imprecisely" to emphasize the lack of exactness in the definition, focusing on the absence of specific details.

remain nebulously defined

Using "nebulously" indicates that the concept is cloudy or indistinct, implying a lack of clear boundaries or features.

remain sketchily defined

This option suggests that only the basic outlines or main points are known, without full development or explanation.

lack a clear definition

This restructures the sentence to focus on the absence of a clear definition, rather than the quality of an existing one.

are not well understood

This phrase shifts the focus from the definition itself to the overall level of understanding, implying that the concept is not fully comprehended.

are subject to interpretation

This alternative emphasizes the ambiguity and potential for varying understandings of the concept.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "remains poorly defined"?

When a concept or idea "remains poorly defined", it means that its characteristics, boundaries, or details are not clear, precise, or well-understood. It implies a lack of clarity and often suggests a need for further investigation or research.

How can I use "remain poorly defined" in a sentence?

You can use "remain poorly defined" to describe aspects of a topic that lack clarity. For example, "The long-term effects of this treatment "remain poorly defined", necessitating further studies".

What are some alternatives to "remain poorly defined"?

Alternatives to "remain poorly defined" include "remain ill-defined", "remain vaguely defined", or "lack a clear definition". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "remain poorly defined" in formal writing?

Yes, "remain poorly defined" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts. It's a clear and professional way to indicate a lack of clarity or precision. However, consider alternatives if you want to vary your phrasing.