Remain vs. Remains — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on January 30, 2024
"Remain" is a verb meaning to continue to exist or be left after others have gone. "Remains" can be a noun referring to what is left after part has been removed or destroyed, often used for bodily remains.
Difference Between Remain and Remains
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Key Differences
Remain primarily functions as a verb, suggesting the act of continuing in place, status, or condition. For example, "The mysteries remain unsolved." On the other hand, Remains often serves as a noun, referring to the leftover parts or remnants of something. An example would be, "The remains of the ancient temple were discovered."
Remain can also express a state of being left after others have gone or been removed. "Only a few students remain after class." Conversely, Remains is used to describe the physical residue, often of a deceased organism. "The dinosaur remains were preserved in the museum."
In a temporal context, Remain suggests the duration of staying in a place or condition. "I will remain here until you return." In contrast, Remains can denote historical or archaeological relics. "The remains of the old castle are a tourist attraction."
Remain might imply persistence in spite of challenges, as in "He remains confident despite the setbacks." However, Remains often refers to a body or corpse, particularly in a forensic context. "The remains were identified using DNA testing."
In the context of a discussion or argument, Remain can mean to continue to be a part of something, like "The unresolved issues remain." Whereas, Remains can be used figuratively to denote the remnants of a concept, idea, or entity. "The remains of the ancient culture are still studied by historians."
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Definition
To continue to exist or be left after others are gone
What is left after something has been used or destroyed
Usage Context
Temporal or situational persistence
Physical leftovers or remnants
Example Context
Remaining in a location or state
Archaeological or bodily remnants
Connotation
Often implies endurance or persistence
Usually refers to the physical or tangible leftovers
Compare with Definitions
Remain
To continue to exist
The old traditions remain strong in the village.
Remains
Corpse or body
The remains were buried in the old cemetery.
Remain
To continue to be a part of
The unresolved question remains a topic of debate.
Remains
Ruins or relics of the past
The remains of the ancient city fascinated historians.
Remain
To be left behind
Few structures remain after the earthquake.
Remains
Leftover parts after others are removed
The remains of the meal were given to the dog.
Remain
To stay in the same place
He chose to remain at home during the storm.
Remains
Leftovers of a structure or building
The remains of the old bridge were still visible.
Remain
To continue in the same state or condition
These matters remain in doubt.
Remains
Residual elements of something that once was
The remains of her former glory were evident in her demeanor.
Remain
To continue to be in the same place; stay or stay behind
We are remaining at home.
Remains
What is left after a person (or any organism) dies; a corpse.
They buried the remains of their longtime friend in the town cemetery.
The victim's remains were one small piece of bone.
Remain
To be left after the removal, loss, passage, or destruction of others
Only a few trees remained after the storm. ].
Remains
Historical or archaeological relics.
Remain
That which is left; relic; remainder.
Remains
The extant writings of a deceased person.
To his great intellectual powers his published remains bear abundant witness.
Remain
(in the plural) That which is left of a human being after the life is gone; relics; a dead body.
Remains
All that is left of the stock of some things; remnants.
He couldn't bring himself to eat the remains of the chicken dinner.
Remain
Posthumous works or productions, especially literary works.
Remains
(rare) remain
Remain
(obsolete) State of remaining; stay.
Remains
Any object that is left unused or still extant;
I threw out the remains of my dinner
Remain
To stay after others or other parts have been removed or otherwise disappeared.
After three rounds of interviews, only 5 candidates remained.
I like to make more than enough food if I have people round for dinner, so I can eat my way through what remains in the following days.
Remains
The dead body of a human being
Remain
(mathematics) To be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
If you divide 20 apples between three people, each gets six and two remain.
Remain
To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.
Remain
To await; to be left to.
Remain
(copulative) To continue in a state of being.
There was no food in the house, so I had to remain hungry.
The light remained red for two full minutes.
Remain
To stay behind while others withdraw; to be left after others have been removed or destroyed; to be left after a number or quantity has been subtracted or cut off; to be left as not included or comprised.
Gather up the fragments that remain.
Of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
That . . . remains to be proved.
Remain
To continue unchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last.
Remain a widow at thy father's house.
Childless thou art; childless remain.
Remain
To await; to be left to.
The easier conquest now remains thee.
Remain
State of remaining; stay.
Which often, since my here remain in England,I 've seen him do.
Remain
That which is left; relic; remainder; - chiefly in the plural.
When this remain of horror has entirely subsided.
Remain
That which is left of a human being after the life is gone; relics; a dead body.
Old warriors whose adored remainsIn weeping vaults her hallowed earth contains!
Remain
The posthumous works or productions, esp. literary works, of one who is dead; as, Cecil's
Remain
Stay the same; remain in a certain state;
The dress remained wet after repeated attempts to dry it
Rest assured
Stay alone
He remained unmoved by her tears
The bad weather continued for another week
Remain
Continue in a place, position, or situation;
After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
Stay with me, please
Despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
She continued as deputy mayor for another year
Remain
Be left; of persons, questions, problems, results, evidence, etc.;
There remains the question of who pulled the trigger
Carter remains the only President in recent history under whose Presidency the U.S. did not fight a war
Remain
Stay behind;
The smell stayed in the room
The hostility remained long after they made up
Remain
To persist in a state
She remains undecided about her future plans.
Common Curiosities
Can "remains" be used in a non-physical context?
Yes, "remains" can be used figuratively to refer to the remnants of non-physical things, like ideas.
Is "remain" always a verb?
Yes, "remain" is primarily used as a verb.
Does "remain" imply duration?
Yes, "remain" often implies staying in a state or place for a period.
Is "remain" used in present tense?
Yes, "remain" is often used in present tense to describe a current state.
Is "remains" used in legal contexts?
Yes, especially in reference to a deceased person's body.
Can "remain" be used in a future tense?
Yes, as in "She will remain here until tomorrow."
Is "remain" used in formal contexts?
Yes, it is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
Can "remains" mean something left unfinished?
Not usually. It's more about physical leftovers or remnants.
Are "remains" used in scientific contexts?
Yes, particularly in archaeology, paleontology, and forensics.
Can "remain" indicate resistance?
Indirectly, it can imply persistence or endurance in a condition or belief.
Do "remains" always refer to something old?
Typically, but they can also refer to the aftermath of recent events.
Can "remains" refer to archaeological discoveries?
Absolutely, "remains" commonly refers to archaeological or historical relics.
Are "remains" always related to death?
Often, but not exclusively. "Remains" can also refer to ruins or leftovers.
Can "remain" be synonymous with "stay"?
In many contexts, yes, "remain" can be similar to "stay."
Does "remain" imply a passive state?
Not necessarily; it can be a choice or active decision to stay.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
