1、作不及物动词用
（1）表示“剩下”、“仍有”,只能用于主动语态,不可直接跟宾语, eg.
①、They had all those that remained． 他们把剩下的全部拿走了.
②、This visit willalways remain in my memory．这次拜访将永远留在我的记忆之中.
（2）表示“留下”、“逗留”,特指在他人走后留下 eg.
①、They went,but I remained．他们走了,但我留了下来. ②、I shall remain here all the winter． 整个冬天我将留在这里.
（3）表示“尚待”、“留待”,后面接被动语态的动词不定式 eg.
①One problem remains to be solved．有一个问题尚待解决. ②That remains to be proved．那尚待证实.
2、作系动词用表示“一直保持”、“仍然（处于某种状态）”、“继续存在”、“依然”
（1）后面接名词作表语 eg.
①、Language was,is and will remain the chief means of exchange of ideas． 语言,过去、现在和将来依然是交流思想的主要工具. ②、In spite of their quarrel,they remained the best friends． 他们尽管吵过架,却仍不失为最好的朋友.
（2）后面接形容词作表语 eg.
①.We must always remain modest and prudent． 我们必须经常保持谦虚、谨慎.
②.Despite the danger,she re- mained calm． 尽管危险,可她依然镇定自若.
（3）后面接介词短语作表语
eg. ①I have remained in touch with the Greens for more than 10 years. 我和格林一家保持了十多年的联系.
②He had to remain in hospital until he was better. 他不得不住院,直到身体好转. ③Victories remain with us．胜利属于我们.
（4）后面接V-ing作表语 eg.
She remained standing though we repeatedly asked her to sit down． 虽然我们三番五次地请她坐下,她还是站着.
3、后面接过去分词作表语 eg.
①、The true author of the book remains unknown． 这本书真正的作者依然不详.
②、The situation remains unchanged．局势依然未变.
4、 接不定式作表语,表示将来的动作.如:
This remains to be proved. 这有待证实.(将来被动动作)
Whether it will do us good remains to be seen. 这是否对我们有好处,还要看一看. 注意:
① remain 作名词时,表示剩余物,一般用其复数形式.如:
The remains of a meal can be given to a pig. 残汤剩饭可以喂猪.
They found some remains of the Tang Dynasty. 他们发现一些唐代遗物.
② remaining 是形容词,意为剩余的,常作前置定语;而left则只能作后置定语.如: There are only 5 books left. 只剩下五本书了.
He bought me a gift with the remaining money. 他用剩余的钱给我买了一件礼物
