remain undefined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain undefined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not specified or lacks a clear definition. Example: "In this experiment, the variables may remain undefined until further analysis is conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has an admirably diverse cast, but its characters remain undefined, identity-free, generic.

The New Yorker

The mechanisms of sepsis mortality remain undefined.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Follow-up imaging patterns, however, remain undefined.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

Correlates of immune protection from HIV vaccines remain undefined.

Vaccine

The scope and limitations of MP display remain undefined.

Journal of Molecular Biology

However, the precise interactions required to confer alcohol sensitivity to a particular protein remain undefined.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Revision and retransplantation are treatment options, but their longterm outcomes remain undefined.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Cell transplantation prevents chamber dilatation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain undefined.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

However, the underlying mechanisms of action and toxicity, especially in native freshwater mussels (Order Unionoida), remain undefined.

Aquatic Toxicology

However, perhaps you could rationally fail to assign it a probability — your probability that God exists could remain undefined.

SEP

However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain undefined.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain undefined" when you want to emphasize that a concept, mechanism, or role is not yet fully understood or characterized, inviting further investigation or clarification.

Common error

While acceptable in formal writing, using "remain undefined" repeatedly in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not clear yet" or "still figuring it out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain undefined" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's state of lacking a clear or specific definition. Ludwig AI examples show its frequent use in scientific and academic contexts to indicate areas where knowledge is incomplete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

93%

News & Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain undefined" is a grammatically sound and very common expression, particularly within scientific and academic writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate a lack of clarity or specificity regarding a concept, mechanism, or role. While primarily used in formal and scientific contexts, it's important to consider simpler alternatives for informal communication. The prevalence of this phrase in scientific literature underscores its function in highlighting areas requiring further research and clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay unspecified

Focuses on the lack of specific details being provided.

remain ambiguous

Emphasizes the presence of multiple possible interpretations.

remain unresolved

Highlights the lack of a solution or decision.

remain unclarified

Stresses the absence of clarification or explanation.

remain undetermined

Focuses on the fact that something has not been decided or established.

stay indefinite

Indicates a lack of defined limits or boundaries.

persist without definition

Highlights the continuous lack of a clear definition.

remain an open question

Suggests that the topic is still under debate and lacks a conclusive answer.

lack specificity

Emphasizes the absence of detailed information.

defy precise characterization

Highlights the inability to define something accurately.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain undefined" to indicate that something lacks a clear or specific definition. For example, "The long-term effects of this treatment "remain undefined"."

What are some alternatives to "remain undefined"?

Alternatives include "stay unspecified", "remain ambiguous", or "remain unresolved", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "remains undefined" or "remain undefined"?

"Remains undefined" is used when referring to a singular subject, while "remain undefined" is used for plural subjects or when the subject is 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they'. Example: "The mechanism "remains undefined"." vs. "The mechanisms "remain undefined"."

What's the difference between "remain undefined" and "stay undefined"?

While similar, "remain undefined" suggests a state that persists over time, whereas "stay undefined" implies a decision or action to keep something undefined. "The policy details "remain undefined" despite ongoing discussions." vs. "The project scope will stay undefined until funding is secured."