remains to be determined

USAGE SUMMARY

"remains to be determined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an outcome has not yet been determined, usually in the context of a prediction or assessment. For example: The effectiveness of the new drug regime remains to be determined.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That remains to be determined.

The New Yorker

Whether that would include killing swans remains to be determined.

The New York Times

Whether that confession is indeed true remains to be determined.

The New York Times

It remains to be determined if he is a crook.

The New York Times

Their precise role remains to be determined.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

where a ≤ α remains to be determined.

Boundary Value Problems

However, this remains to be determined.

Journal of Neuroimmunology

The mechanism remains to be determined.

Metabolism

The optimal form of training remains to be determined.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The exact nature of these reactions remains to be determined.

AMB Express

The pathogenesis of this association remains to be determined.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remains to be determined" when you want to indicate that a conclusion or outcome is not yet known and requires further investigation or analysis. It's suitable for formal writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "remains to be determined" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "we don't know yet" or "it's still unclear" for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains to be determined" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a particular fact, outcome, or conclusion is not yet established and is subject to future discovery or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remains to be determined" is grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in scientific and news contexts to indicate that an outcome or piece of information is not yet known but is subject to future discovery or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to acknowledge uncertainty while implying ongoing effort toward resolution. While suitable for formal and professional writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. The phrase functions as a predicative expression, setting expectations for further investigation and reflecting a professional and analytical tone. Top authoritative sources include journals like PlosOne and newspapers like The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has yet to be determined

Changes the verb tense from present to present perfect, emphasizing that the determination hasn't happened up to now.

is yet to be decided

Replaces "determined" with "decided", focusing on the decision-making aspect.

is still uncertain

Emphasizes the lack of certainty surrounding the matter.

is not yet known

Highlights that the information is currently unavailable.

is to be ascertained

Uses a more formal term, "ascertained", for "determined", suitable for academic or professional settings.

is open to question

Indicates that the matter is still debatable or unresolved.

is subject to further investigation

Highlights the need for more research or analysis.

is pending further review

Suggests that a review process is ongoing.

is unresolved

Simplifies the phrase to indicate that the issue is not yet settled.

is to be clarified

Focuses on the need for more clarity or explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "remains to be determined" to indicate that something is yet to be decided or discovered, like in "The long-term effects of this policy "remains to be determined"".

What are some alternatives to "remains to be determined"?

Alternatives include "is yet to be decided", "is still uncertain", or "is not yet known", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "remained to be determined"?

Yes, "remained to be determined" is the past tense form, indicating that something was yet to be decided or discovered at a point in the past. For example: "The cause of the accident "remained to be determined" after the initial investigation."

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

"Remains to be determined" suggests an active process of investigation or decision-making is needed. "Remains to be seen" implies a more passive waiting for events to unfold and reveal the outcome.