remained to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when talking about something that is still in progress or is yet to be completed. For example, "The future of the company remained to be seen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It remained to be seen.

The New York Times

Much remained to be accomplished, he suggested.

The New Yorker

Some details remained to be worked out.

The New York Times

Others said much remained to be seen.

The New York Times

It remained to be convinced.

The Guardian

But local issues remained to be settled.

The New York Times

Thus, much remained to be decided.

The New York Times

Nothing remained to be done at that level.

Cornell University

The reason for such heterogeneity remained to be determined.

Life Sciences

All that remained to be written was when.

The Guardian - Opinion

But thousands of votes remained to be tallied on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remained to be", ensure the sentence structure is clear. Follow it with a verb that accurately describes the action that is pending (e.g., "remained to be seen", "remained to be determined").

Common error

Avoid using "remained to be" when describing something that has already been fully completed or resolved. This phrase implies an ongoing or incomplete state, so it's incorrect to use it for finished actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained to be" functions as a modal auxiliary phrase indicating a state of incompletion or a future possibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remained to be" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is still pending, unresolved, or requires further action. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. It is particularly frequent in scientific and news publications, suggesting its suitability for both technical and general audiences. When writing, ensure the context implies an ongoing or incomplete state to accurately use this phrase. Be mindful of choosing an alternative if you want to specify the action. "Remained to be" can imply uncertainty; therefore, choosing alternatives, such as "still needs to be", is relevant to add specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yet to be

Indicates that something has not happened or been done up to the present time, closely mirroring "remained to be".

Left to be

Suggests that something is outstanding or unfinished, closely aligned with the idea of something that "remained to be".

Still needs to be

Emphasizes the continuing need for something to be done, similar to "remained to be" but slightly more direct.

To be seen

Focuses on the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, similar to how "remained to be" can imply uncertainty.

To be clarified

Points out that something requires further explanation or investigation, it focuses more specifically on the need for clarification.

To be determined

Highlights that a decision or answer is still pending, focusing on the uncertainty.

Yet to unfold

Suggests that events are still developing and the outcome is not yet clear, it emphasizes the passage of time and future development.

Outstanding

A more concise way of indicating something that is not yet completed or resolved. Simpler and slightly less formal.

Unresolved

Indicates that an issue or problem has not been resolved yet, it focuses more specifically on problems or conflicts.

Awaits

Implies that something is waiting to be done or addressed in the future, it's more concise and emphasizes anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "remained to be" in a sentence?

Use "remained to be" to indicate something that still needs to happen or be determined. For example, "The exact cause of the problem "remained to be" investigated."

What are some alternatives to "remained to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "still needs to be", "yet to be", or "to be determined".

Is it correct to say "remains to be seen" instead of "remained to be seen"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "remains to be seen" implies a future or ongoing uncertainty, while "remained to be seen" refers to something uncertain in the past relative to a specific point in time. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "remained to be done" and "had to be done"?

"Remained to be done" suggests tasks that were still outstanding or incomplete. "Had to be done" indicates tasks that were necessary or obligatory. The former focuses on incompletion; the latter, on necessity.