remains in question

USAGE SUMMARY

"remains in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express uncertainty about something. For example: "The outcome of the game remains in question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Winston's guilt or innocence remains in question, but his ability to remain a hero in Tallahassee is not.

Vice

Whether that is true remains in question.

The New York Times

The independence of the election apparatus remains in question.

The New York Times

Whether this strategy can be effective remains in question.

The New York Times - Sports

The origin of quasicrystalline order remains in question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the practicability of a merger remains in question.

The Economist

The legality of the practice, however, remains in question.

The New York Times

But because politics as well as biology is involved, the outcome in Colombia remains in question.

The New York Times - Science

But, he said, "the extent to which they can be legislated remains in question".

The New Yorker

What remains in question is Mr. Cheney's ability to wage a punishing presidential campaign.

The New York Times

The fate of at least two of the accused agents remains in question.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "uncertain" or "undetermined" if you want to convey a more forceful sense of doubt or lack of clarity.

Common error

While "remains in question" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "we don't know yet" or "it's still up in the air" are preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains in question" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that a particular subject is in a state of uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI provides many examples of how this phrase is used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains in question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey uncertainty or doubt. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears predominantly in news and media, science, and encyclopedia contexts. It is considered appropriate for neutral to formal registers. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the formality of the expression, and consider simpler alternatives for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is still uncertain

Focuses more on the lack of certainty rather than the open nature of the issue.

is yet to be determined

Highlights the aspect of a future resolution that has not yet occurred.

has not been resolved

Emphasizes the lack of a solution or conclusion.

is up for debate

Suggests active discussion and differing opinions.

is open to speculation

Implies that the matter is subject to guesswork and conjecture.

is a matter of conjecture

Highlights the speculative nature of the topic.

is unresolved

Directly states the lack of resolution.

is contestable

Suggests that the issue can be disputed or challenged.

is dubious

Implies doubt or suspicion about something.

is moot

Indicates that something is no longer of practical significance or relevance.

FAQs

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

You can use "remains in question" to indicate uncertainty about something. For example: "The validity of the study "remains in question"." or "Whether he will attend the meeting "remains in question"."

What are some alternatives to "remains in question"?

Alternatives to "remains in question" include "is still uncertain", "is yet to be determined", or "has not been resolved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "remains in question" formal or informal?

"Remains in question" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for professional, academic, or journalistic writing but may sound slightly out of place in very casual conversation. Consider using alternatives in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "remains in question" and "is questionable"?

"Remains in question" implies that something is currently uncertain or unresolved. "Is questionable", on the other hand, suggests that there are reasons to doubt or distrust something. For example: "His motives are "is questionable"" implies doubt about his motives, while "Whether he'll succeed "remains in question"" indicates uncertainty about his success.