remained unclear

USAGE SUMMARY

"remained unclear" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is still unknown or obscure after certain attempts have been made to understand or explain it. For example: "His motivations for taking such a drastic measure remained unclear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Precise details remained unclear.

The New York Times

His motive remained unclear.

The New York Times

"Her situation remained unclear".

The Guardian

How that happened remained unclear.

The New York Times

The attack's details remained unclear.

The New York Times

Two questions, however, remained unclear.

The New Yorker

But some details remained unclear.

The Economist

The motive remained unclear yesterday.

The New York Times

Other details remained unclear yesterday.

The New York Times

The diplomatic situation remained unclear.

The New York Times

Her home's fate remained unclear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and impact, avoid overuse of "remained unclear" within close proximity in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "stayed ambiguous" or "was still uncertain" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "remained unclear". This repetition can make your writing sound monotonous and less engaging. Mix up sentence structures and use synonyms to vary your expression and improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained unclear" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate a state of continued uncertainty or lack of clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained unclear" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a persistent lack of clarity or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news articles, scientific papers, and other formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of unresolved ambiguity and consider alternative phrases like "stayed ambiguous" to diversify your writing. Avoid overuse, and be mindful of its neutral to formal tone to maintain consistent with your content's register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed ambiguous

Focuses on the persistent ambiguity, highlighting that the lack of clarity continues.

was still uncertain

Emphasizes the ongoing uncertainty or doubt surrounding the subject.

was not yet clear

Indicates that clarity has not been achieved up to the present time.

continued to be vague

Highlights the persistence of vagueness, suggesting an ongoing lack of specific details.

was left undefined

Focuses on the lack of definition, suggesting that specific parameters or details were absent.

was unresolved

Highlights that the issue or question in point has no current resolution.

has not been clarified

Indicates that no clarification was provided, suggesting it still needs further explanation.

was obscure

Suggests the matter was hidden, not easily discovered, or understood.

defied understanding

Expresses that something is so difficult that it is impossible to comprehend.

was not yet determined

Indicates that a decision or conclusion is still pending.

FAQs

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

Use "remained unclear" to indicate that something has not been fully explained or understood. For example, "The reasons for the sudden departure "remained unclear", despite numerous attempts to investigate the matter."

What are some alternatives to "remained unclear"?

You can use alternatives like "stayed ambiguous", "was still uncertain", or "was not yet clear" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "the motive remained unclear" or "the motive was unclear"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. However, "the motive "remained unclear"" suggests that there was an expectation or attempt to clarify the motive, but it was not successful. "The motive was unclear" simply states the lack of clarity without implying a prior attempt to understand it.

What's the difference between "unclear" and "unclear"?

"Unclear" simply means not clear or not easily understood. Adding "remained" suggests that a previous attempt or expectation of clarity existed, but the situation or information did not become clearer over time. For example, "Despite further investigation, the details "remained unclear"".