to remain so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to remain so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a desire or intention for a situation or condition to continue as it currently is. Example: "I hope the team's performance will continue to remain so impressive throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the theory remains empirically unconfirmed, and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Stanford University

Do not expect it to remain so.

The New York Times

Almost all were likely to remain so.

The Economist

It is likely to remain so.

The New York Times - Sports

And it was designed to remain so.

The New York Times - Arts

I fully intend to remain so.

The Guardian

Unfortunately it was to remain so.

The Guardian

Immediately after the election she promised to remain so.

The Economist

Earthquakes themselves are unpredictable, and likely to remain so.

The Economist

To remain so, it needs some protection from Ecuador's politics.

The Economist

Stockmarkets are also unlikely to remain so frothy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to remain so" when you want to clearly indicate the continuation of a state or condition, especially when contrasting it with a potential change. For example, "The company is profitable, and we aim for it to remain so."

Common error

Avoid using "to remain so" in simple sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. For example, instead of "I want it to remain so", consider "I want it to stay."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to remain so" is as an infinitive phrase functioning as an adverbial, modifying a verb or clause to express a desired or expected continuation of a condition. This phrase provides additional information, as seen in Ludwig AI, about how something is expected to persist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to remain so" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to convey the continuation of a state or condition. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as academic contexts, suggesting a professional register. While simple, it effectively communicates a desire or expectation for stability, although it should be used judiciously to avoid wordiness in simpler sentence structures. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to stay that way

Emphasizes maintaining the current condition or state without significant change.

to continue as is

Highlights the continuation of the existing form or manner of something.

to persist in this manner

Indicates a more determined or prolonged continuation of the current state.

to be kept thus

Suggests that an active effort is being made to maintain the current condition.

to hold constant

Implies maintaining a steady or unchanging condition over time.

to be preserved as such

Emphasizes the careful maintenance of something in its present form.

to endure unchanged

Focuses on the ability to withstand changes and maintain the same state.

to keep unchanged

Highlights the active preservation of something so its state doesn't change.

to perpetuate the condition

Highlights the act of extending duration of something.

to uphold the status quo

Focuses on maintaining the existing state of affairs, especially in social or political contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "to remain so" in a sentence?

The phrase "to remain so" is used to express the continuation of a particular state or condition. For example, "Although the task is challenging, our commitment is strong, and we intend "to remain so"."

What are some alternatives to "to remain so"?

You can use alternatives such as "to stay that way", "to continue as is", or "to persist in this manner" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "to remain so"?

Yes, "to remain so" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate that a current state or condition should continue.

When is it best to use "to remain so" instead of simpler alternatives?

Use "to remain so" when you want to emphasize the desire or intention for something to continue in its current state, particularly when there's an implied or explicit possibility of change. Simpler alternatives might lack this emphasis.