remains
B2Formal to Neutral. Most common in written and formal spoken contexts, especially for the 'corpse' and 'historical artifact' senses. The 'leftover' sense is more neutral.
Definition
Meaning
What is left after other parts have been removed, used, or destroyed; a remaining portion or trace.
Can refer to the physical leftover parts (e.g., of a meal, a building), historical/archaeological artifacts, the dead body of a person, or the continuing existence of a state or condition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries connotations of the past, mortality, destruction, or attenuation. Typically used with a plural verb despite its -s ending. The sense of 'dead body' is a formal euphemism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The plural verb agreement is consistent. Slightly more common in British English for the 'ruins/artifacts' sense in historical contexts.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the remains of + NOUN PHRASE (the remains of the castle)VERB + remains (discover/examine/bury the remains)remains + VERB (the remains suggest/show/indicate)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the remains of the day (literal & metaphoric: what is left of a period)”
- “go to one's last resting place (euphemism for burial of remains)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'the remains of the budget' or 'the remains of the quarter'.
Academic
Common in archaeology, history, anthropology, and forensics (e.g., 'Neolithic remains', 'osteological analysis of human remains').
Everyday
Common for food ('the remains of dinner'), old objects ('the remains of an old shed'), and informally for 'dead body'.
Technical
Specific use in forensics ('forensic remains'), archaeology ('material remains'), and construction ('structural remains').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We ate the remains of the pizza for breakfast.
- Only the stone remains of the old house are left.
- Archaeologists discovered the remains of a Roman villa.
- She respectfully buried the animal's remains in the garden.
- The charred remains of the factory were a stark reminder of the fire.
- Despite the scandal, the remains of his reputation allowed him to find work.
- The forensic team meticulously catalogued the human remains found at the site.
- The peace treaty was but a fragile construct, the remains of a failed diplomatic process.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sign at an archaeological dig: "REMAINS of the past are what REMAIN after time has passed."
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS PHYSICAL DEBRIS (We sift through the remains of history). LIFE IS A SUBSTANCE THAT DISAPPEARS (Only his mortal remains were left).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'остается' (which is the verb 'remains'). The noun is 'останки', 'остатки'.
- Using 'remains' for a single leftover item can sound odd (prefer 'the rest' or 'the leftover').
- The singular 'remain' as a noun is obsolete; always use the plural form 'remains'.
Common Mistakes
- Using a singular verb (incorrect: 'The remains is...'). Correct: 'The remains are...'.
- Confusing it with the verb 'remain' (e.g., 'He remains quiet' vs. 'His remains were found').
- Overusing it for trivial leftovers where 'leftovers' or 'rest' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'remains' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically plural and takes a plural verb (e.g., 'The remains are significant').
'Leftovers' is almost exclusively for food and informal contexts. 'Remains' is broader, formal, and can refer to ruins, corpses, or traces of anything.
No, the singular noun 'remain' is obsolete. The correct noun form is always the plural 'remains'.
It is a standard, respectful, and formal term used in legal, forensic, and official contexts. In personal, emotional contexts, 'body' or the person's name is often preferred.