the answer remains elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the answer remains elusive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a question or problem that is difficult to resolve or understand. Example: "Despite extensive research, the answer remains elusive, leaving scientists puzzled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And, as with the newspaper industry, the answer remains elusive.

The New York Times

The answer remains elusive, because even in his most personal letters, Burns was not baring his soul so much as striking poses.

The New York Times - Books

People sometimes ask, "Why thirteen wives?" "Oh," I always say, putting on my brightest smile, "you can't have too much of a good thing!" In truth, the answer is less simple than that, though the precise nature of the answer remains elusive even to me.

The New Yorker

The answer remains elusive.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That's like asking, 'Is the light on in the refrigerator when the door is closed?' " Yet if that answer remains elusive, interviews with more than two dozen former and current administration officials offer a portrait of a woman wielding a many-faceted portfolio of power.

The New York Times

The active reabsorption of uric acid in the kidney suggests some adaptive function, but a definitive answer remains elusive (Álvarez-Lario and Macarrn-Vicente 2010).

Evolutionary Applications

Several explanations for this gradual decline in renal function after LVAD therapy have been proposed, yet a definitive answer remains elusive.

Heart Failure Reviews

If the raison d'etre for the Royal London Cup is to produce World Cup-winning cricketers, where is the incentive to develop the weight of stroke and lightning bat-speed that drives scores to 350 and beyond, if 300 is almost always enough? It's an old one and the answer remains as elusive as ever.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the answers remained elusive for months.

The New York Times

But the answer remains unclear.

Science Magazine

The answer, unfortunately, remains elusive.Matthew Yglesias intervenes to point out that corporate interests are not monolithic As the great metaphysician Mitt Romney put it, corporations are people and concrete political controversies often pit the interests of entire firms or sectors against those of others.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the answer remains elusive" when you want to express that a particular question or problem has not yet been resolved despite efforts to find a solution.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "the answer remains elusive", as it can become repetitive. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to add variety to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the answer remains elusive" functions as a statement indicating that a particular question or problem has not yet been resolved or fully understood. Ludwig's examples show it's used in various fields, from science to media, to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive solutions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the answer remains elusive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express the lack of a clear resolution to a problem or question. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While offering a sophisticated means of conveying uncertainty, it's essential to consider alternative expressions to avoid repetition. The phrase's function is primarily to communicate the ongoing nature of an inquiry, emphasizing the difficulties in finding definitive answers. Its register leans towards neutral to formal, fitting well within professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the solution is still unknown

Focuses on the lack of a known solution, shifting from 'answer' to 'solution' and 'elusive' to 'unknown'.

the resolution is not yet apparent

Replaces 'answer' with 'resolution' emphasizing a lack of clarity or visibility.

the mystery persists

Emphasizes the continuing nature of the mystery or unsolved problem.

the explanation is yet to be found

Focuses on the absence of an explanation rather than an answer.

a clear response is still lacking

Highlights the deficiency in providing a definite response.

we are still searching for the key

Uses a metaphorical expression (key) to imply that the way to solve a mystery is still being explored.

the puzzle is unsolved

Uses "puzzle" instead of "answer" to highlight the state of being unsolved.

the secret is yet unveiled

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the information, implying discovery is still awaited.

the truth remains hidden

Focuses on the 'truth' being concealed, rather than an answer being elusive.

we have not found the key yet

Explains that the situation or the solution to the problem has still not been found.

FAQs

How can I use "the answer remains elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "the answer remains elusive" to indicate that a solution or explanation to a problem or question has not yet been found. For example: "Despite extensive research, "the answer remains elusive" regarding the cause of the disease."

What are some alternatives to "the answer remains elusive"?

Some alternatives include "the solution is still unknown", "the resolution is not yet apparent", or "the explanation is yet to be found", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "the answer remains elusive" in formal writing?

Yes, "the answer remains elusive" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers, reports, and professional communications. It conveys a sense of unresolved inquiry in a sophisticated manner.

What does "elusive" mean in the context of "the answer remains elusive"?

In this context, "elusive" means difficult to find, catch, or achieve. It suggests that the answer is hard to grasp or define clearly.