Remain the Same vs. Remains the Same – Which is Correct?
“Remain” and “remains” are both correct, but they agree with different subjects. Use “remain the same” after plural subjects, “I,” or “you”; use “remains the same” after a singular third-person subject such as “it,” “the price,” or “the situation.” The verb must match the subject, not nearby words in context.
Remain or Remains the Same – Which is Correct?
“Remain the same” and “remains the same” are both grammatically correct. The choice depends on subject-verb agreement.
Use remain with the pronouns I, you, we, and they, as well as plural nouns. Use remains with singular third-person subjects, including he, she, it, and singular nouns.
The phrase means that something does not change or continues in its existing condition. For example, “The rules remain the same” is correct because rules is plural, while “The rule remains the same” is correct because rule is singular.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “he, she, it” test. If you could replace the subject with he, she, or it, choose remains. If you could replace it with I, you, we, or they, choose remain.
Compare: “The schedule remains the same” becomes “It remains the same.” However, “The schedules remain the same” becomes “They remain the same.” The singular subject takes the -s ending.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| remain | Verb | Continue to be unchanged or in the same condition | The terms remain the same. |
| remains | Verb | The third-person singular form of “remain” | The term remains the same. |
How to Use Remain
Remain is the base form of the verb. In the phrase remain the same, it describes a subject that continues without changing. Use it after I, you, we, and they, after plural nouns, and after modal verbs such as may, will, should, and must.
The word is appropriate in casual, academic, professional, and formal writing. It often sounds slightly more formal than alternatives such as stay, especially in business, legal, and administrative contexts.
Example 1: The basic requirements remain the same.
Example 2: We expect the price to remain the same throughout the month.
Example 3: Even after the update, you must remain the same distance from the entrance.
Etymology of the Word Remain
Remain comes from the Old French remanoir, meaning “to stay behind” or “to continue.” It ultimately derives from the Latin remanere, formed from re-, meaning “back,” and manere, meaning “to stay.” Over time, its meaning expanded to include continuing in a particular state or condition.
Because remain can mean to stay, distinguish it from the forms discussed in Staid vs. Stayed.
How to Use Remains
Remains is the third-person singular present-tense form of remain. Use it when the subject is singular and refers to a person, place, thing, or idea previously mentioned. The phrase remains the same indicates that one singular subject continues unchanged.
Do not use remains after plural subjects or after I, you, we, or they. Also, do not use it after a modal verb: “The policy will remain the same,” not “The policy will remains the same.”
Example 1: The final decision remains the same.
Example 2: Her position on the issue remains the same.
Example 3: Despite the criticism, it remains the same reliable service.
What Are the Different Forms of Remains?
Remains is not a separate verb; it is an inflected form of remain. The main forms are remain in the base form, remains for the third-person singular present, remained in the past tense and past participle, and remaining as the present participle.
Examples include: “They remain calm,” “The situation remains calm,” “The situation remained calm,” and “The situation is remaining stable.” In most contexts, is remaining is less natural than is staying or simply remains.
Etymology of the Word Remains
Remains has the same historical origin as remain. The -s ending developed as the standard marker for the third-person singular present tense in English. Therefore, its meaning comes from remain, while its form signals that the subject is singular.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and verb forms makes it easier to choose between remain and remains.
- Subject-verb agreement: A verb must match its subject in number. Singular subjects generally take remains, while plural subjects take remain.
- Third-person singular: In the present tense, regular verbs commonly add -s when the subject is he, she, or it. This is why “The condition remains” is correct.
- Modal verbs: After can, could, may, might, must, should, and will, use the base form remain: “The arrangement will remain the same.”
- Collective nouns: A collective noun such as team, committee, or family is often treated as singular in American English, so it commonly takes remains: “The committee remains the same.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The expression appears frequently in reporting, fiction, historical writing, and professional communication. The following examples show how subject number controls the verb:
- News reporting: “Officials confirmed that the policy remains the same.” The singular subject policy takes remains.
- Business writing: “Despite the merger, the company’s core values remain the same.” The plural subject values takes remain.
- Historical writing: “The castle remains the same in many important respects.” The singular subject castle takes remains.
- Fiction: “The friends remain the same despite their changing circumstances.” The plural subject friends takes remain.
- Public announcements: “The opening hours remain the same on weekdays.” The plural subject hours takes remain.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- The original instructions ______ the same.
- The central message ______ the same throughout the novel.
- We hope the schedule will ______ the same.
- Her answer ______ the same each time.
- The company’s standards ______ the same.
Answer Key
- remain — “Instructions” is plural.
- remains — “Message” is singular.
- remain — The modal verb “will” is followed by the base form.
- remains — “Answer” is singular.
- remain — “Standards” is plural.
Remain Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| stay | Continue in the same place, state, or condition; generally more conversational than “remain.” |
| continue | Keep going or persist over time. |
| persist | Continue firmly or stubbornly, often despite difficulty. |
| endure | Continue to exist or last, especially through hardship. |
Remains Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| stays | Continues in the same condition or location; the closest everyday alternative. |
| continues | Keeps going or does not stop. |
| persists | Continues to exist or happen, often despite opposition or difficulty. |
| endures | Lasts over time or survives challenging conditions. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it “remain the same” or “remains the same”?
Both are correct. Use remain with plural subjects and with I, you, we, and they. Use remains with singular third-person subjects.
Question 2: Is “the rules remains the same” correct?
No. The plural subject rules requires remain: “The rules remain the same.” With a singular subject, write “The rule remains the same.”
Question 3: Should I write “will remain” or “will remains”?
Write will remain. Modal verbs such as will are followed by the base form of a verb, so “The terms will remain the same” is correct.
Conclusion
Remain and remains are both correct forms of the verb, but they cannot be exchanged freely. Choose remain the same for plural subjects, I, you, we, and they. Choose remains the same for singular third-person subjects such as it, the price, and the situation. Pro Tip: Correct subject-verb agreement makes professional writing appear polished, precise, and trustworthy.
