remained unfinished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained unfinished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been completed or is still in progress. Example: "The project remained unfinished due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds remained unfinished.

The New York Times

The work remained unfinished at his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The novel remained unfinished at the time of Moore's death.

Columbia University

This novel remained unfinished owing to Austen's declining health.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And when the summer break arrived the portrait remained unfinished.

Independent

But with two weeks to go, the deck remained unfinished.

The New York Times

His second book remained unfinished because of government persecution.

Britannica

The sketch remained unfinished, but not the dream.

The New York Times - Arts

As summer wore on, the policy review remained unfinished.

The New York Times

The final volume remained unfinished at his death.

The New York Times - Arts

Like much of what we chose, it remained unfinished.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remained unfinished", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect or task was not completed. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "remained unfinished" excessively in passive voice, as it can make your writing sound weak. Instead, consider active constructions that emphasize the reason for the incompleteness or the actor responsible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained unfinished" functions as a descriptive element within a sentence, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a state of incompleteness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained unfinished" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression to describe something that has not been completed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent appearance across diverse sources. Its versatility allows it to fit into various registers, although it appears most often in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides clarity on what exactly was left unfinished to avoid ambiguity. While generally safe to use, avoid overuse in passive voice to maintain a strong and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained uncompleted

A direct synonym, highlighting the absence of completion.

was left incomplete

Emphasizes the action of leaving something in an incomplete state.

stayed unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution or completion of a matter.

remained undone

Emphasizes the lack of action or effort to complete something.

was not finalized

Highlights the lack of a final decision or action.

was left pending

Focuses on the state of waiting for completion or resolution.

was never concluded

Emphasizes the absence of a final conclusion or result.

remained in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of the work, without being finished.

remained outstanding

Indicates that something is still pending or needs to be completed.

was abandoned midway

Stresses the act of stopping halfway through a process or task.

FAQs

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

You can use "remained unfinished" to describe a task, project, or state that was not completed. For example, "The painting "remained unfinished" after the artist's passing".

What can I say instead of "remained unfinished"?

You can use alternatives like "was left incomplete", "stayed unresolved", or "remained uncompleted depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the work remained unfinished"?

Yes, it is correct to say "the work remained unfinished". It is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that a particular piece of work was not completed.

What's the difference between "remained unfinished" and "was never finished"?

"Remained unfinished" suggests that something was started but not completed, while "was never finished" implies that something was perhaps intended to be done but never brought to completion. The former emphasizes a process that stalled; the latter, a lack of completion from the outset.