remains largely a mystery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remains largely a mystery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is not well understood or is still unknown despite some information being available. Example: "The origins of the ancient artifact remains largely a mystery to historians and archaeologists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

In other words, the humble hiccup remains largely a mystery.

The Guardian

Yet how the brain makes, stores and retrieves memories remains largely a mystery.

University of California, Berkeley

What remains largely a mystery is why Mr. Thein Sein got the country's top job.

The New York Times

Still, Arroyo said, Chapman is quiet, and he remains largely a mystery.

The New York Times - Sports

A wanted poster for Mullah Muhammad Omar, who remains largely a mystery.

The New York Times

"The case remains largely a mystery," Mayce Webber's lawyer, Robert Morgan, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But the border separating the two seemingly incompatible behaviors remains largely a dark mystery.

Huffington Post

Mechanisms of intron insertion remain largely a mystery [ 49, 50].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Furthermore, the construction of facial phenotypes that correspond to naturally perceived facial features remains largely a mystery.

Nature

Since their discovery in the 1920s, the lines have been variously interpreted, but their significance remains largely shrouded in mystery.

Britannica

While to the general public the structure of materials remains largely shrouded in medieval alchemical mystery, the specialists knowledge has seen an explosive growth over the past half century in the ability to observe, predict and manipulate multiscale material microstructures over a hierarchy of length scales.

Calphad

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remains largely a mystery", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect or phenomenon is not well understood. Avoid vagueness by specifying the subject of the mystery.

Common error

Avoid using "remains largely a mystery" when there is already substantial information or understanding available on a topic. The phrase is most effective when highlighting significant gaps in knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains largely a mystery" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject and indicating a state of incomplete understanding or unresolved knowledge. As Ludwig shows, it's used to describe subjects where fundamental aspects are still unknown.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains largely a mystery" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that something is not fully understood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for formal writing, it is crucial to ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives such as "largely unsolved" or "remains mostly unknown" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase's prevalence in news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its widespread applicability when acknowledging knowledge gaps.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remains mostly unknown

Replaces 'largely a mystery' with a more direct synonym.

Is still largely unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity.

Largely unexplained

Highlights the absence of an explanation.

Largely unsolved

Focuses on the lack of a solution rather than the lack of understanding.

Continues to be enigmatic

Uses a more formal and sophisticated term for 'mystery'.

Largely obscure

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or visibility.

Has not been fully elucidated

A more formal and technical way of saying 'not fully explained'.

Resists easy explanation

Focuses on the difficulty in providing a simple explanation.

Its intricacies are unknown

Highlights the unknown complex details.

Baffles researchers

Specifically suggests that the subject is confusing experts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "remains largely a mystery"?

You can use alternatives like "largely unsolved", "largely unexplained", or "remains mostly unknown" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "remains largely a mystery" in formal writing?

Yes, "remains largely a mystery" is appropriate for formal writing. However, in highly technical or scientific contexts, you might consider more specific alternatives such as "has not been fully elucidated".

What does it mean when something "remains largely a mystery"?

It means that despite some investigation or knowledge, the fundamental nature or explanation of something is still unknown or not fully understood. This implies there are significant gaps in our understanding.

Can I use "remains a complete mystery" instead of "remains largely a mystery"?

Yes, you can use "remains a complete mystery", but it indicates a total lack of understanding, while "remains largely a mystery" suggests that some aspects are known, but significant questions persist. Choose the phrase that best reflects the extent of the unknown.