what remained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what remained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to what is left over or what is still present after something has been removed or has changed. Example: "After the storm passed, we surveyed what remained of the old barn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What remained?

The Guardian - Sport

"You're destroying what remained".

The New York Times - Magazine

"What remained was Instagram.

The Guardian - Tech

What remained was mild amusement.

The New York Times - Arts

What remained were microbe genes.

The New York Times - Health

What remained was still substantial.

The Guardian - Music

What remained was the sum of €770.

The Economist

He would live on what remained".

The New York Times - Books

What remained, for Mr. Larson, was circus.

The New York Times

What remained of it was cold.

The New Yorker

What remained for the musical was performance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what remained" to effectively convey the idea of something that is left over after a process of reduction, loss, or change. This phrasing adds a sense of continuation or survival to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "what remained" when referring to things that have merely been relocated or altered in form, not actually diminished or survived a process. "What remained" implies a previous state from which something has been taken away or destroyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what remained" functions as a noun clause, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI's examples illustrate, it introduces the portion or aspect that continues to exist after something else has been altered or removed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what remained" is a versatile phrase functioning as a noun clause that signifies what persists after a change or loss. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "what was left" exist, "what remained" offers a slightly more formal tone. Knowing its proper usage helps writers effectively convey continuity and survival in their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was left

This alternative is more direct and uses a simpler verb tense.

what persisted

This alternative emphasizes the idea of enduring or continuing to exist.

what survived

This alternative implies a sense of overcoming a challenge or threat.

the residue

This alternative refers to the substance or trace that stays behind.

the balance

This alternative suggests the amount that is left over.

what endured

This alternative conveys the idea of withstanding and lasting through time.

the remainder

This alternative is a more formal term for what is left.

the vestiges

This alternative refers to traces or remnants of something that no longer exists.

the remnants

This alternative emphasizes broken parts or pieces of something.

the aftermath

This alternative refers to the consequences or after-effects of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "what remained" in a sentence?

You can use "what remained" to refer to the portion that persists after something has been removed or changed. For instance, "After the flood, we assessed "what remained" of our house".

What are some alternatives to "what remained"?

Alternatives include "what was left", "what persisted", or "the remainder", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "what remained" or "what was left"?

"What remained" tends to be slightly more formal than "what was left". The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

How does "what remained" differ from "what was restored"?

"What remained" refers to the portion that wasn't lost or damaged, while "what was restored" refers to something that was brought back to its original condition. They represent opposite outcomes following a change.