remains elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remains elusive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something has not yet been found, identified, or explained. For example: "The cause of the disease remains elusive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

True victory remains elusive.

The New York Times

Wimbledon remains elusive.

The New York Times - Sports

That remains elusive.

The Economist

But it remains elusive.

The New York Times - Tech

He himself remains elusive.

The New York Times - Arts

The truth remains elusive.

The New York Times - Sports

But solitude remains elusive.

The New York Times

But consensus remains elusive.

The Economist

True unity remains elusive.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer remains elusive.

The New York Times - Science

But success remains elusive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remains elusive", ensure the subject of the sentence is clearly defined. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what specific thing is difficult to find or understand.

Common error

While "remains elusive" is a valid phrase, overuse in casual conversation or informal writing can sound stilted. Consider simpler alternatives like "we haven't found it yet" or "it's still a mystery" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains elusive" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject by describing its state of being difficult to find, catch, understand, or achieve. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains elusive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that something has not yet been found, understood, or achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a variety of contexts. It's particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business writing. While versatile, it's best to reserve this phrase for contexts where a degree of formality is appropriate, opting for simpler alternatives in more casual settings. When using "remains elusive", ensure that the subject is well-defined to avoid any ambiguity. While other phrases might be semantically similar, they do not convey the same degree of specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continues to evade

Focuses on the continuous action of avoiding or escaping something.

has yet to be found

Emphasizes the lack of discovery or attainment so far.

is still unattainable

Highlights the impossibility or difficulty of reaching a goal.

resists definition

Indicates that something is difficult to describe or explain clearly.

defies comprehension

Stresses the inability to understand something.

is not yet clear

Simply states that something is not understood or known.

remains unresolved

Focuses on the lack of a solution or conclusion.

is hard to pin down

Suggests that something is difficult to specify or identify precisely.

escapes detection

Highlights the failure to notice or discover something.

is shrouded in mystery

Emphasizes the mysterious and obscure nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "remains elusive" in a sentence?

Use "remains elusive" to indicate that something has not been found, achieved, or understood, as in "The cause of the problem "remains elusive"".

What are some alternatives to "remains elusive"?

You can use phrases like "continues to evade", "has yet to be found", or "is still unattainable" as alternatives, depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "remains elusive" in formal writing?

Yes, "remains elusive" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, and professional contexts, where precision and a degree of formality are expected.

What's the difference between "remains elusive" and "is still a mystery"?

"Remains elusive" is more formal and suggests a persistent effort to find or understand something, whereas "is still a mystery" is more informal and simply states that something is not understood. Consider your audience and the tone of your writing when choosing between the two.