remains obscure

USAGE SUMMARY

"remains obscure" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone or something is not well-known or not readily understood. For example: "The source of the leak remains obscure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Huntingtin's exact role remains obscure.

The Economist

One large point remains obscure.

The New York Times - Books

The botched attack remains obscure.

The Washington Post

If it remains obscure, ask them.

Yale University

In humans, however, its role remains obscure.

The Guardian

Mr. Troy's early life remains obscure.

The New York Times

The cause therefore of the phenomenon remains obscure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, the mechanism by which carbamates inhibit FAAH remains obscure.

Chemistry & Biology

However, knowledge of the ABC systems of BALOs remains obscure.

Gene

The nature, however, of this 'solvation' remains obscure.

Nature

The molecular mechanism underlying this important process remains obscure.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remains obscure" in formal writing when you want to indicate that something is not well-understood or known, especially when discussing complex or technical subjects. It conveys a sense of ongoing uncertainty or a lack of complete information.

Common error

Avoid using "remains obscure" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is formal and can sound unnatural in less serious settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "isn't clear" or "isn't known".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains obscure" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of something as not being clearly understood or known. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains obscure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is not well-understood or known. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in scientific and academic contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal writing and should be used cautiously in casual settings. Consider alternatives such as "remains unclear" or "remains unknown" for varied nuance. The Ludwig examples highlight its frequent use across reputable sources like Nature, The New York Times, and The Guardian, reinforcing its reliability in formal communication. The phrase signifies a persistent lack of clarity or understanding, which is key to its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains unclear

Replaces "obscure" with "unclear", focusing on a lack of clarity.

remains unknown

Substitutes "obscure" with "unknown", highlighting the lack of knowledge.

remains mysterious

Replaces "obscure" with "mysterious", adding a sense of intrigue or enigma.

remains vague

Substitutes "obscure" with "vague", emphasizing a lack of specific detail.

remains undefined

Replaces "obscure" with "undefined", pointing out the absence of a clear definition.

remains unresolved

Shifts the focus to the lack of a solution or answer.

remains unproven

Highlights the lack of evidence or confirmation.

remains unexplained

Emphasizes that no explanation has been provided.

remains hidden

Suggests that something is deliberately concealed or not easily found.

remains concealed

Similar to "remains hidden", but with a stronger implication of intentional hiding.

FAQs

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

You can use "remains obscure" to indicate that something is not well-known or understood, for example: "The exact cause of the disease "remains obscure"."

What are some alternatives to "remains obscure"?

Some alternatives include "remains unclear", "remains unknown", or "remains mysterious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "the reason is obscure" or "the reason remains obscure"?

"The reason "remains obscure"" implies that the obscurity is persistent or has continued over time, while "the reason is obscure" simply states the current state of obscurity without emphasizing duration.

What's the difference between "obscure" and "ambiguous"?

"Obscure" means not well-known or difficult to understand due to a lack of information. "Ambiguous" means open to more than one interpretation; the information is present but unclear. Something that ""remains obscure"" lacks sufficient information, while something that is ambiguous has too many possible meanings.