remained behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something stayed in a particular place while others left or moved on. Example: "While the rest of the group went ahead, she remained behind to gather her thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only those who remained behind were to be utterly exterminated.

The Guardian - Opinion

What was left for those who remained behind?

The New York Times - Books

For months he remained behind, helping where he could, but last December the situation became unbearable.

BBC

This pattern of steady departures raised the pressing question: What sort of thing remained behind?

SEP

Gomes, a minor, remained behind, raised by a great aunt and uncle.

Huffington Post

Those that remained behind in the reducciones often fell victim to contagious diseases.

Wikipedia

Bauchle remained behind.

The New Yorker

However, so far progress remained behind expectation.

Advances in Genetics

guerrillas who remained behind in West Beirut.

The New York Times

A small group, however, remained behind.

The Guardian

The only white man in the car remained behind.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained behind" to clearly indicate that someone or something did not leave a location when others did, often implying a specific reason for staying.

Common error

Avoid using "remained behind" when simply describing someone's location without implying a choice or reason for not leaving with others. In such cases, a more neutral term like "stayed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained behind" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a clause. It indicates the action of staying in a place or situation after others have left, as Ludwig examples show. The auxiliary verb "remained" denotes a state of being in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained behind" is a versatile verb phrase that indicates a subject stayed in a location or situation while others departed. It's grammatically correct, widely used across various contexts, and generally carries a neutral tone. As Ludwig AI also confirms, this phrase is a strong addition to your writing toolkit. Whether you are writing a news article, a scientific paper, or a personal narrative, understanding the nuances of "remained behind" will help you communicate effectively and precisely. Be sure to consider the implication of choice and intent when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed back

Indicates a deliberate choice to not advance or leave with others.

lingered

Suggests a slow or reluctant departure.

lagged behind

Emphasizes falling behind a group or expected pace.

stayed put

Highlights a decision to remain in a location despite potential pressure to leave.

held back

Implies a force or reason preventing forward movement.

tarried

Suggests a temporary delay or pause before moving on.

dwelt

Focuses on residing or continuing to exist in a place or condition.

persisted

Highlights the continuation of existence or presence despite challenges.

abided

Implies conforming to or complying with a location or situation.

kept behind

Emphasizes that somebody prevented from advancing.

FAQs

How can I use "remained behind" in a sentence?

Use "remained behind" to show that a person or object stayed in a place when others left. For example, "After the evacuation, a small group of volunteers "stayed back" to assist the elderly who "remained behind"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "remained behind"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""stayed back"", "lingered", or "lagged behind" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "stayed behind" or "remained behind"?

"Stayed behind" and "remained behind" are often interchangeable, but "remained behind" can suggest a more formal or deliberate decision to stay. "Stayed behind" is generally more casual. Choose depending on the specific tone and context.

What does "remained behind bars" mean?

"Remained behind bars" is an idiom that means someone continued to be imprisoned. It is often used in news and legal contexts to indicate that a person was not released from jail or prison.