remain unfamiliar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain unfamiliar" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to continue being unknown or unfamiliar. Example: Despite my best efforts, the new computer program remains unfamiliar to me.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Apart from the "Pavane pour une infante défunte", the shorter pieces, some only lasting a minute or two, remain unfamiliar to non-Ravelians.

The Guardian - Music

The Linda Hall is among dozens of libraries across the United States that house dazzling collections and often mount eccentric exhibitions but largely remain unfamiliar to the public.

The New York Times - Travel

Neither Ms. Roberts nor Mr. Smith had heard of Lewy body dementia before their fathers were found to have it, a process that in each case took several years because even many health care professionals remain unfamiliar with the disorder.

The New York Times

With the exceptions of people like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes, many of the Stax artists remain unfamiliar to the public now, a problem that cannot be explained solely by the label's twisted financial fortunes.

The New York Times - Arts

Unlike Neda, whose death resonated globally, prompting world leaders to comment and inspiring films and books, the identities of a large number of those who lost their lives remain unfamiliar to Iranians.

The Guardian

Organized by Katherine Crum of the museum, the show includes well-known names like Thomas Moran and William Merritt Chase, but the interest is mainly in the display of extraordinarily accomplished traditional craftsmanship by artists who today remain unfamiliar to nonspecialists.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The new taxonomy did not easily spread among practitioners, in part because most classroom teachers remained unfamiliar with the new taxonomic approach and because many professional development experts (including those in teacher-education institutions) continued to rely on the original taxonomy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the first listening phase, the selected songs were presented as synthesized sounds using the Java Sound API's MIDI package1, with four of the selected familiar songs played first, followed by four of the unfamiliar songs, then the other four familiar songs, and finally the remaining unfamiliar songs.

Brain Informatics

One of the key selling points of Bloodmoon was its reintegration of werewolves; a feature that had been included in Daggerfall, but absent in Morrowind; a feature prominently advertised in previews prior to the game's release, in contrast to Morrowinds vampirism, which was almost an "Easter Egg" in terms of how many players remained unfamiliar with the feature.

Wikipedia

However, if Schwarzrock remains healthy, perhaps his name will not remain so unfamiliar.

The New York Times - Sports

"Water is transparence derived from the presence of everything... How does water remain so unfamiliar?" Like all of those present, some of whom had arrived by private plane from America and elsewhere, Horn was in stockinged feet, her shoes deposited in a cloakroom just inside the library door.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain unfamiliar", ensure it's clear to whom something remains unfamiliar. For example, "The concept remains unfamiliar to the general public."

Common error

Avoid assuming that something unfamiliar to you is universally unfamiliar. Qualify the statement to indicate the specific group or context for whom it's unfamiliar. For instance, instead of saying "Quantum physics remains unfamiliar", specify "Quantum physics remains unfamiliar to many outside the scientific community."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain unfamiliar" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as continuing to be unknown or not well understood. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across various contexts to express persistent unfamiliarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain unfamiliar" effectively communicates a persistent lack of knowledge or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, notably news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify to whom something remains unfamiliar to avoid ambiguity. Remember that while something might be unfamiliar to you, that doesn't mean it's universally so.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are largely unknown

Focuses on the extent to which something is not known.

are not widely known

Focuses on the breadth of knowledge, indicating that something is not known by many people.

stay unknown

Focuses on the state of being unknown, without necessarily implying a prior expectation of familiarity.

are still foreign

Implies a sense of being alien or external, differing from what is known.

continue to be obscure

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or prominence, rather than just lack of familiarity.

are not yet recognised

Highlights that at some point in the future, it is possible to be recognised.

persist in being unrecognized

Highlights the ongoing nature of not being acknowledged or identified.

are not well established

Highlights the lack of acceptance and knowledge about something.

endure as an enigma

Suggests something mysterious and difficult to understand.

are relatively new

Suggests that something has been recently introduced.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain unfamiliar" to describe something that continues to be unknown or not well understood. For example, "Despite numerous studies, the exact causes of the disease "remain unclear"." Here the meaning is close but it is not about people.

What's a good substitute for "remain unfamiliar"?

Alternatives for "remain unfamiliar" include "stay unknown", "are largely unknown", or "are still foreign", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "remains unfamiliar" instead of "remain unfamiliar"?

Yes, both are correct, but they depend on the subject. "Remain unfamiliar" is used with plural subjects, while "remains unfamiliar" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The details remain unfamiliar" vs. "The concept remains unfamiliar".

What is the difference between "remain unfamiliar" and "become unfamiliar"?

"Remain unfamiliar" suggests something has always been unknown and continues to be so. "Become unfamiliar" implies something was once known but is now less familiar or forgotten.