1
Core action
Not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
Example
The long-term effects remain to be seen.
remain to be seen
/rɪˈmeɪn tuː biː siːn/ · ri-MAYN too bee SEENunresolved-outcome phrase
Not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
Use remain to be seen to express this relationship precisely: not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
What remain to be seen Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Several consequences of the reform remain to be seen.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Whether smaller firms adapt will remain to be seen.
Use remain to be seen Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The long-term effects remain to be seen.
Several consequences of the reform remain to be seen.
Whether smaller firms adapt will remain to be seen.
Precision Matters
Remain to be seen overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
remain to be seen
vs.Means not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
surmise
Means to infer or guess without conclusive proof.
remain to be seen
vs.Means not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
conjecture
Means a tentative conclusion based on incomplete evidence.
remain to be seen
vs.Means not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
in principle
Means according to a general rule, ideal, or possibility, even if practical conditions interfere.
remain to be seen
vs.Means not yet be known, demonstrated, or settled because future evidence or events are needed.
raise the possibility that
Means suggest that a proposition may be true without claiming that it is established.
Test remain to be seen in Context
The outcome cannot yet be known and requires future evidence.
1
The policy's lasting effects will ___ until several years of data are available.