remain question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain question" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "remaining question"? You can use "remaining question" when referring to a question that is still unresolved or unanswered in a discussion or context. Example: "After reviewing the report, the remaining question is how we can improve our strategy moving forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Where Ms. Anthony is headed now and how she will reclaim her life remain question marks.

The New York Times

Pearson is cutting jobs and reducing Internet spending to raise profitability, but some recent acquisitions remain question marks.

The New York Times

The transition period has not been without controversy, and there still remain question marks over the operation of some of the Romanian democratic institutional structures.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

As those Brits who voted to remain question whether they still recognise their country, some Europeans are making efforts to salvage the relationship.

The Guardian

Though many of the 14 state-run exchanges are fine, several remain question marks, including those in Maryland, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Vermont.

The New York Times

Several cities vying for the 2026 Winter Games pulled out, leaving just two, and there remain question marks over whether one of the bidders, Stockholm, will remain in the race ahead of a decision later this year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

These remain questions for future work.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Quality and sustainability remain questions.

Unicef

The only remaining question is: how much?

The Guardian

The remaining question was the appropriate remedy.

The New York Times

The remaining question has been "when".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using grammatically correct alternatives like "remaining question", "unanswered question", or "lingering questions" to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "remain" directly before "question" as it is grammatically incorrect. Use "remaining" (adjective) or rephrase the sentence to use "remains" (verb) with appropriate subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain question" is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is typically to identify an unresolved issue. However, it fails to achieve this due to incorrect syntax. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the proper forms include "remaining question" or using "remains" as a verb.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

7%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain question" is grammatically incorrect. While it appears in various contexts, as shown by Ludwig, including news, science, and business, it should be avoided in formal writing. The intended meaning is typically to highlight an unresolved issue, but the incorrect syntax undermines clarity and professionalism. As Ludwig AI highlights, correct alternatives include "remaining question", or rephrasing the sentence to use "remains" as a verb. Using correct grammar ensures effective communication and avoids misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved question

Replaces "remain" with "unresolved", directly indicating the lack of a solution or answer.

open question

Emphasizes that the question is still being considered and has no definitive answer.

outstanding question

Highlights the question's prominence and the need for it to be addressed.

lingering question

Suggests the question persists and continues to be relevant over time.

unanswered question

Focuses on the fact that the question has not yet received a response.

question that remains

Inverts the structure to emphasize the enduring nature of the question.

question still to be answered

Explicitly states the question requires a future response.

a matter of debate

Indicates the question is contentious and subject to discussion.

issue under consideration

Focuses on the question as a formal matter being reviewed.

puzzle to be solved

Highlights the challenging nature of the question and the need for a solution.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "remain" with "question"?

The grammatically correct ways are to use "remaining question" as an adjective-noun combination or to rephrase the sentence using "remains" as a verb, such as "the question remains".

What can I say instead of "remain question"?

You can use alternatives like "unresolved question", "outstanding question", or "lingering question" depending on the context.

Is "remain question" grammatically correct?

No, "remain question" is not grammatically correct. The correct forms include "remaining question" or a rephrased sentence where "remains" functions as a verb.

What's the difference between "remain question" and "remaining question"?

"Remain question" is grammatically incorrect. "Remaining question" uses "remaining" as an adjective to describe the question that is left or still needs to be answered.