remains vague

USAGE SUMMARY

"remains vague" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is unclear or not readily understandable. For example: "The details of the plan remains vague, making it difficult to evaluate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But this remains vague talk.

The Economist

But much remains vague or poorly defined.

The Guardian

But beyond that, its programme remains vague.

The Guardian - Opinion

The purpose of her visit remains vague.

The New York Times

According to the internal documents, that remains vague.

The New York Times

The Labour Party's policy on arts financing remains vague.

The New York Times - Arts

The official rationale for these changes remains vague.

The New York Times

Precisely how we're to implement this remains vague.

The Guardian

Most important, the need for teaching computational thinking to all students remains vague.

The New York Times

Most countries have ratified it, though the application of the treaty remains vague.

The Economist

The new world conjured at the summit meeting remains vague and sketchy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remains vague", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is unclear or undefined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the policy remains vague", specify "the implementation details of the policy remains vague".

Common error

Avoid using "remains vague" in overly repetitive or redundant ways. For instance, "the unclear details remains vague" is redundant; simply state "the details remains vague" or "the details are unclear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remains vague" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject that lacks clarity or specificity. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describes policies, plans, rationales, mechanisms, intentions, and more.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remains vague" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something lacking clarity or definition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in various writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific sources, it conveys a sense of ongoing ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider "is still undefined" or "lacks clarity". When employing this phrase, ensure the subject of vagueness is clear to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stays ambiguous

Changes the verb to "stays" while retaining the core meaning of ambiguity.

is still undefined

Emphasizes the lack of a clear definition or specification.

lacks clarity

Focuses on the absence of clear and precise information.

continues to be obscure

Highlights the ongoing nature of the obscurity or lack of understanding.

is shrouded in uncertainty

Suggests a lack of clarity due to doubt and unpredictability.

is not well-defined

Indicates a lack of precise boundaries or parameters.

persists in being ill-defined

Emphasizes the continuing and unsatisfactory state of definition.

is left unspecified

Highlights the omission of specific details or conditions.

eludes precise formulation

Focuses on the difficulty in expressing something clearly and accurately.

is yet to be clarified

Indicates that clarification is needed but has not yet been provided.

FAQs

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

You can use "remains vague" to describe something that lacks clarity or is not well-defined. For example, "The politician's stance on education reform "remains vague", leaving many voters uncertain."

What can I say instead of "remains vague"?

You can use alternatives like "is still undefined", "lacks clarity", or "continues to be obscure" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "remains vague" or "remain vague"?

"Remains vague" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "remain vague" would be used for a plural subject. For example, "The issue remains vague" (singular) vs. "The issues remain vague" (plural).

What's the difference between "remains vague" and "is ambiguous"?

"Remains vague" suggests something was previously unclear and continues to be so. "Is ambiguous" simply indicates a lack of clarity without necessarily implying a pre-existing condition of vagueness.