- Have you ever wondered why native speakers say “remain silent” instead of “stay silent” in formal contexts?
- Do you know which adverbs perfectly describe a situation that doesn’t change, such as “remaining stubbornly” high?
- Are you confused about when to use “remain” versus “stay” in your professional emails?
Mastering Remain collocations is a vital step for any English learner aiming for a C1 or C2 level of fluency. In English, words aren’t just used in isolation; they live in “word partnerships” called collocations. Using the right partners for the word “remain” will make your English sound more precise, professional, and natural, helping you bridge the gap between “textbook English” and real-world mastery.
Common Collocations with Remain as a Verb
As a verb, “remain” is a linking verb (like “to be” or “to seem”). It describes a state that continues to exist. It is more formal than “stay” and is frequently used in news, business, and academic writing.
Remain + Adjectives (Describing a State)
This is the most common way to use this verb. It describes a person or situation that does not change its condition.
- Remain calm: To stay peaceful during a crisis. (Example: “Despite the emergency, the pilot remained calm.”)
- Remain silent: To not speak, often for legal reasons. (Example: “You have the right to remain silent.”)
- Remain anonymous: To keep one’s identity a secret. (Example: “The donor chose to remain anonymous.”)
- Remain vigilant: To stay alert and watchful. (Example: “Security forces must remain vigilant against new threats.”)
- Remain unchanged: To stay exactly the same. (Example: “The interest rates will remain unchanged this month.”)
Remain + Prepositional Phrases (Status and Location)
These collocations describe the “where” or the “status” of an object or idea.
- Remain in effect: A rule or law that is still valid. (Example: “The parking restrictions remain in effect until midnight.”)
- Remain at large: A criminal who has not been caught yet. (Example: “The suspect remains at large after the robbery.”)
- Remain under control: To stay managed and not become chaotic. (Example: “The fire remained under control thanks to the quick response.”)
- Remain in office: To stay in a political position. (Example: “The president hopes to remain in office for another term.”)
Adverb + Remain (Frequency and Degree)
To add nuance to your sentences, use these adverbs to describe how or how much something remains.
- Stubbornly remain: When something refuses to change despite efforts. (Example: “Inflation stubbornly remains higher than expected.”)
- Largely remain: When the majority of something hasn’t changed. (Example: “The original structures largely remain intact.”)
- Firmly remain: To stay very strongly in a position or belief. (Example: “They firmly remain committed to the project.”)
Essential Collocations using Remains as a Noun
In modern English, the noun form is almost always used in the plural: remains. It refers to what is left after something has been used, destroyed, or after a person has died.
Adjective + Remains
- Human remains: The body of a deceased person. (Example: “Archaeologists discovered human remains dating back 2,000 years.”)
- Ancient remains: Parts of old buildings or civilizations. (Example: “The tourists visited the ancient remains of the Roman forum.”)
- Skeletal remains: Just the bones of a body. (Example: “Forensic experts analyzed the skeletal remains.”)
Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Remain silent | Verb Phrase | To not say anything. |
| Remain in effect | Verb Phrase | To continue being valid/legal. |
| Remain anonymous | Verb Phrase | To keep one’s name hidden. |
| Remain unchanged | Verb Phrase | To stay the same. |
| Human remains | Noun Phrase | A dead body or parts of it. |
| Ancient remains | Noun Phrase | Ruins of old structures. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| It remains to see. | It remains to be seen. |
| The remains of the dinner. | The leftovers from dinner. (Note: ‘Remains’ is too formal for food). |
| He remains to be happy. | He remains happy. |
| Still remain (often redundant). | Remain (or “still is”). |
“The board of directors met today to discuss the merger. While the CEO remained optimistic about the future, many details of the contract remain to be seen. For now, the current company policies will remain in effect to ensure that operations remain under control during the transition period.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Remain Collocations
What is the difference between “stay” and “remain”?
“Stay” is more informal and common in daily speech (e.g., “Stay here”). “Remain” is more formal and is often used to describe a state or condition that doesn’t change (e.g., “The facts remain the same”).
Can I use “remain” to talk about staying at a hotel?
Is it correct to say “It remains to be seen”?
Yes, this is a very common fixed idiom. it means that something is not yet known or certain. For example: “It remains to be seen if the new plan will work.”
Can “remain” be used in the continuous tense (remaining)?
Yes, but it is less common as a main verb. It is often used as a participle: “The remaining students went home.” To describe a current state, we usually use the simple present: “A few problems remain.”
Which preposition follows “remain”?
The most common prepositions are “in” (remain in office), “at” (remain at home), and “with” (remain with the company). The choice depends entirely on the noun that follows.
I was wondering the same thing as Ahmed earlier regarding the airplane announcement. I also hear 'it remains to be seen' on CNN quite often. Is that a formal idiom?
In German, the verb 'bleiben' covers both 'stay' and 'remain'. It is quite a challenge to remember which English one fits the formal context!
That is the challenge with many Germanic languages, Lukas! Think of 'remain' as your 'Professional/Formal' button and 'stay' as your 'Everyday/Relaxed' button.
Could you provide more examples of adverbs used with 'remain' besides 'stubbornly'? I want to expand my vocabulary for my upcoming university essays.
Certainly, Fatima! Try using 'remain relatively' (unchanged), 'remain potentially' (problematic), or 'remain largely' (unknown). These are extremely common in academic and research-based English.
I sometimes confuse 'remain' with 'remind' because they sound slightly similar to me. This article really helped me focus on the 'state of being' aspect of 'remain'.
If I use 'remain' in a text message to a friend, will I sound like I'm trying too hard or sound like a robot?
Haha, maybe a little bit, Chloe! In a casual text, 'stay' is usually the better choice. 'Remain' is definitely a 'power word' for when you want to sound more serious, authoritative, or professional.
I have a question about the grammar. Does 'remain' always need to be followed by an adjective, or can it stand alone at the end of a sentence?
I often see the phrase 'remain anonymous' in news articles. Is it common to use 'stay anonymous' as well?
Excellent question, Ananya! 'Remain anonymous' is the standard journalistic collocation. 'Stay anonymous' is used sometimes, but 'remain' gives that sense of a permanent status or a formal request for privacy.
In legal contexts, 'the right to remain silent' is very famous. Is it because the law always prefers the most formal vocabulary possible?
I noticed the article mentions 'remain calm'. Can I also say 'remain quiet' or is 'stay quiet' more natural in a professional office setting?
Both are actually fine, Sofia! However, 'remain quiet' implies a continued state (like a peaceful atmosphere), while 'stay quiet' is often used as a command to stop talking.
I am currently working on my business English. Are there any specific collocations for 'remain' that are used specifically in financial reports?