remain unfinished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain unfinished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a task or project that has been left incomplete. For example, "John had to leave work early, so his project will remain unfinished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Many of his films remain unfinished.

The New Yorker

An incomplete structure should remain unfinished.

Columbia University

But the rules for monitoring remain unfinished.

The Guardian

There are things that remain unfinished".

The Guardian

Buildings once started seem to remain unfinished for ever.

The Economist

Still, more than 40 derivatives regulations remain unfinished.

The New York Times

Some businesses have closed; several construction projects remain unfinished.

The New York Times - Travel

Paintings can remain unfinished for many different reasons.

Independent

Roads remain unfinished despite handsome allocations for them.

The New York Times

That is why this and other portions of this book remain unfinished".

The New Yorker

— is among the many pieces of business that remain unfinished while Congress is in lockdown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remain unfinished" to clearly indicate that a task, project, or process is not yet complete and requires further attention.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "remain unfinished" in highly formal writing where more precise terms like "outstanding" or "incomplete" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain unfinished" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe the state of a noun (task, project, process etc.) that is incomplete. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound. Examples from Ludwig show diverse applications across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

17%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remain unfinished" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase to describe tasks, projects, or processes that are incomplete. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and the examples show its application across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and science. While the phrase is generally suitable for neutral contexts, being mindful of potential overuse in highly formal writing is advisable. Alternative expressions like "stay incomplete" or "continue outstanding" may offer more precise options depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay incomplete

Focuses on the state of being not whole or lacking necessary parts to be completed.

continue outstanding

Implies that something is still pending or unresolved, requiring further action.

persist unresolved

Highlights the ongoing nature of an issue that has not been settled or decided.

be left undone

Emphasizes that an action was not performed or completed as required.

go uncompleted

Indicates a lack of completion, often due to unforeseen circumstances or neglect.

exist outstanding

Suggests that something exists in a state of being not yet addressed or finalized.

be pending completion

States that something is waiting for the final steps to be accomplished.

stand unfulfilled

Emphasizes the unmet or unrealized nature of a promise, obligation, or expectation.

endure incomplete

Highlights the prolonged existence of something not fully formed or finalized.

hold in abeyance

Implies a temporary suspension, with the expectation of future completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "remain unfinished" to describe tasks, projects, or states that are not yet complete. For example, "Despite the team's efforts, some aspects of the project "remain unfinished"."

What are some alternatives to "remain unfinished"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stay incomplete", "continue outstanding", or "be left undone" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "will remain unfinished"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Using "will remain unfinished" indicates that something is expected to stay incomplete in the future.

What is the difference between "unfinished" and "incomplete"?

"Unfinished" typically refers to something that was started but not brought to a conclusion, while "incomplete" suggests something lacks necessary parts or elements. Both can "remain incomplete" or "remain unfinished".