Remain vs. Remained

Attribute	Remain	Remained
Definition	To continue to exist or be left after others have gone	To continue to be in a particular state or condition
Verb form	Present tense	Past tense
Usage	Used when referring to something ongoing or continuous	Used when referring to something that has already happened
Conjugation	Remain, Remains, Remaining	Remained, Remained, Remaining

Definition

Remain and remained are two words that are often confused due to their similar spellings and meanings. However, they have distinct differences in their usage. "Remain" is a verb that means to stay in the same place or condition, to continue to exist, or to be left after others have gone. On the other hand, "remained" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "remain," indicating that something stayed or continued to exist in the past.

Usage

When using "remain," it is typically used in the present tense to describe something that is currently staying in a particular state or location. For example, "The book will remain on the shelf until I finish reading it." On the other hand, "remained" is used in the past tense to indicate that something stayed or continued to exist in the past. For instance, "The sun remained hidden behind the clouds all day."

Conjugation

One key difference between "remain" and "remained" is their conjugation in different tenses. "Remain" is an irregular verb, so its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the typical -ed ending pattern. The base form is "remain," the past tense is "remained," and the past participle is also "remained." In contrast, regular verbs follow a more predictable pattern, with the past tense and past participle formed by adding -ed to the base form.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between "remain" and "remained" in context:

• "The flowers will remain fresh if you water them regularly."
• "She remained silent throughout the meeting."
• "The old building remains a symbol of the city's history."
• "The guests remained at the party until late into the night."

Meaning

While both "remain" and "remained" refer to something staying or continuing to exist, they can convey slightly different nuances in meaning. "Remain" often implies a sense of ongoing presence or continuation, while "remained" specifically indicates that something stayed in a particular state or location in the past. Understanding these subtle distinctions can help you use these words correctly in your writing.

Context

When choosing between "remain" and "remained," consider the context of your sentence and the tense you are using. If you are describing something that is currently staying in a particular state or location, use "remain." If you are referring to something that stayed or continued to exist in the past, use "remained." Paying attention to these details will ensure that your writing is clear and accurate.