remains to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'remains to be' is correct, and it is commonly used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something is yet to be determined or completed. For example: The fate of the project remains to be seen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much remains to be defined.

The New Yorker

That remains to be determined.

The New Yorker

Much remains to be done.

The New York Times

That remains to be seen.

The New York Times

In others, it remains to be seen.

The New York Times

Whether France does remains to be seen.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet much remains to be done.

The New York Times

The bathroom remains to be done.

The New York Times

What that means remains to be seen.

The New York Times

But that remains to be proved.

The Economist

Far more remains to be done.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remains to be" to indicate that further action, discovery, or time is needed before something can be fully understood or known. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy change remain to be seen".

Common error

Avoid using "remains to be" when referring to something already completed. The phrase indicates something is yet to occur or be determined, not something in the past. Instead of saying "The problem remains to be solved yesterday", use "The problem remained unsolved yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains to be" functions as an auxiliary construction indicating that something is yet to happen or be determined. As Ludwig AI states, it signifies that an action or state is pending. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remains to be" is a versatile phrase used to denote uncertainty or the need for future action or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. As evidenced by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The Economist, the phrase is frequently employed in news, science, and formal business contexts. While grammatically sound, it's essential to avoid using it to describe past events. Understanding its purpose and register can enhance clarity and precision in your writing. Consider alternative phrases like "yet to be determined" or "to be ascertained" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet to be determined

Focuses on the aspect of something needing to be decided or established.

yet to be seen

Emphasizes the aspect of waiting to observe the outcome.

to be decided

Highlights that a decision is pending.

to be ascertained

Stresses the need for something to be discovered with certainty.

to be established

Highlights the need for something to be firmly set or created.

to be resolved

Implies a need for a problem or issue to be solved.

to be clarified

Emphasizes the need for something to be made clearer or more understandable.

to be investigated

Highlights the need for a systematic or formal inquiry.

to be explored

Stresses the need for something to be examined or discussed in detail.

to be worked out

Implies that something needs to be planned or developed.

FAQs

How can I use "remains to be" in a sentence?

Use "remains to be" to indicate that something is yet to be determined, completed, or understood. For example, "Whether the new strategy will succeed "remains to be seen"".

What's the difference between "remains to be seen" and "is yet to be seen"?

"Remains to be seen" and "is yet to be seen" are very similar, both indicating uncertainty about a future outcome. However, ""remains to be seen"" implies a continuation of a current state of uncertainty, while "is yet to be seen" simply states that the outcome hasn't occurred yet.

What can I say instead of "remains to be"?

You can use alternatives like "yet to be determined", "to be decided", or "to be ascertained" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "something remains to be done"?

Yes, it is correct. "Something remains to be done" means that there is still work that needs to be completed. For instance, "Much "work remains to be done" on this project".