yet to be seen

USAGE SUMMARY

'yet to be seen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has yet to happen, or when referring to an outcome that hasn't been determined yet. For example: We'll have to wait and see what the outcome is, as it's yet to be seen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reformist achievements are yet to be seen.

The Economist

That has yet to be seen.

The New York Times

This has yet to be seen.

The New York Times

The results are yet to be seen.

The Guardian

"It's yet to be seen isn't it?

The Guardian - Music

"Their work has yet to be seen".

The Guardian

But that is yet to be seen".

The New Yorker

Whether West agrees is yet to be seen.

Harvard University

How they match up is yet to be seen.

Independent

It is yet to be seen what's ahead.

The New York Times

Just what it may clear is yet to be seen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yet to be seen", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific outcome or development is uncertain. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid stacking passive constructions. Instead of "It is yet to be seen if the new policy will be implemented", consider "Whether the new policy will be implemented remains to be seen" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yet to be seen" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is in a state of uncertainty or has not yet been revealed or experienced. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing pending outcomes or unconfirmed possibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "yet to be seen" is a very common phrase used to express uncertainty about future outcomes, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. It is predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, confirming its broad applicability. The Ludwig AI agrees that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving as a signal of pending developments or unresolved questions. When deploying the phrase, clarity is key – ensure the context pinpoints what outcome remains uncertain. For similar expressions, consider phrases such as "remains to be observed" or "time will tell". Overall, "yet to be seen" provides a versatile means of acknowledging the unknown in a range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains to be observed

Focuses on the act of observing or witnessing an outcome.

remains to be determined

Similar to 'not yet determined', but slightly more formal.

time will tell

Emphasizes the role of time in revealing the answer.

not yet determined

Highlights that a decision or conclusion hasn't been reached.

the future is uncertain

Directly states the uncertainty of what's to come.

the outcome is unknown

Focuses on the lack of knowledge about the result.

what will happen is unclear

Highlights the lack of clarity about future events.

unpredictable

Similar to unforeseeable but emphasizes the lack of patterns.

unforeseeable

Indicates that the outcome is impossible to predict.

the answer is pending

Suggests that the information is waiting to be revealed.

FAQs

How can I use "yet to be seen" in a sentence?

Use "yet to be seen" to indicate that an outcome, result, or development is still uncertain or has not yet occurred. For example, "The long-term effects of the treatment are "yet to be seen"."

What's a more formal alternative to "yet to be seen"?

A more formal alternative is "remains to be determined" or "remains to be observed". These phrases convey a similar meaning of uncertainty but are often preferred in academic or professional writing.

Which is correct: "yet to be seen" or "still to be seen"?

"Yet to be seen" is the more common and widely accepted phrase. "Still to be seen" is less frequently used but can be acceptable depending on context. The Ludwig AI confirms the greater prevalence of "yet to be seen".

What can I say instead of "yet to be seen" if I want to emphasize the role of time?

You can use the expression "time will tell". This implies that the passage of time will eventually reveal the outcome that is currently uncertain.