remained vague

USAGE SUMMARY

"remained vague" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has not been specified or clarified. Example sentence: The details of the plan remained vague.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But mostly he remained vague.

The Economist

Yet its point remained vague.

The New York Times - Arts

But he remained vague on next steps.

The New York Times

But her sense of vocation remained vague.

The New Yorker

At Tuesday's news conference, he remained vague.

The Washington Post

The location of the rendezvous remained vague.

The New York Times

Western cookbooks remained vague for hundreds of years.

The Economist

Gannibal's roots in Africa, however, long remained vague.

The New York Times

But he remained vague about the reasons for his views.

The New York Times

But what their comings and goings signified remained vague.

The New York Times - Arts

About his future, though, Mr. Fujimori's plans remained vague.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained vague" when you want to indicate that something lacked clarity or specific details over a period of time. It's suitable when discussing plans, policies, or explanations that have not been fully elaborated.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "remained vague" without explaining what aspects were unclear or why this lack of clarity is significant. Adding context will make your writing more informative and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained vague" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of lacking clarity that persisted over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression in written English. Examples show it describing policies, plans, or memories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remained vague" is a correct and commonly used expression to indicate a persistent lack of clarity or specificity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it suggests a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context about what specifically "remained vague" to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "stayed ambiguous" or "continued to be undefined" can add nuanced meaning, while avoiding overuse and providing clear context will strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed ambiguous

Replaces "vague" with "ambiguous", emphasizing uncertainty in meaning.

continued to be undefined

Focuses on the lack of definition or clear boundaries.

persisted in being unclear

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the lack of clarity.

was still ill-defined

Highlights the poor or inadequate definition of something.

did not become clearer

Indicates a lack of improvement in clarity over time.

remained unspecified

Focuses on the absence of specific details being provided.

continued to be nebulous

Substitutes "vague" with "nebulous", suggesting a cloud-like or indistinct quality.

was left undefined

Emphasizes that no definition was provided.

was still hazy

Uses "hazy" to convey a sense of obscurity or lack of precision.

did not clarify

Focuses on the lack of clarification.

FAQs

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

You can use "remained vague" to describe something that lacked specific details or clarity over a period of time. For instance, "The politician's stance on the issue remained vague, leaving many voters uncertain."

What are some alternatives to "remained vague"?

Alternatives include phrases like "stayed ambiguous", "continued to be undefined", or "persisted in being unclear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "remained vague" or "was vague"?

"Remained vague" implies that something was already vague and continued to be so, while "was vague" simply states that something was vague at a particular point in time. Choose the phrase that best reflects the temporal context you're describing.

What does it mean when someone says their memory of an event "remained vague"?

When someone says their memory "remained vague", it means their recollection of the event lacked specific details or clarity, and that this lack of clarity persisted over time. They may remember the general outline of the event but struggle with specific details.