Partly finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"Partly finished" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is not completely done or is in progress. Example: The project is partly finished, and we still have some tasks to complete. Alternative expressions include "incomplete" and "unfinished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partly finished in June 2006, WSDOT plans to complete the project after adding a loop ramp in 2011.

Wikipedia

Finished goods are those ready for sale to retailers; intermediate goods are partly finished items that require further processing or completed items that are parts of other products.

The New York Times

The grandstand, now partly finished, is gigantic.

The New Yorker

In some cases squatters have moved into partly finished buildings.

The New York Times

The basement is partly finished, and the garage has 400 square feet of space.

The New York Times

The museum, which features curving brickwork and twisting stainless steel structures, is only partly finished.

The New York Times

Fifty German divisions advanced through thick, freezing fog and overran the partly finished British defences.

Independent

There were repeated instances of overinvestment, followed by the abandonment or freezing of partly finished projects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Originally, Emphas.is only financed projects that had not yet started or were partly finished.

The New York Times

The cavernous room looks like someone's eclectically furnished, partly finished basement.

The New York Times

A third volume was partly finished at the time of Hutton's death.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing projects or tasks, use "partly finished" to indicate that a portion has been completed, but further work is needed. This conveys a sense of progress while acknowledging incompleteness.

Common error

Don't use "partly finished" when the item is near completion or when the completed portion is negligible. Opt for more accurate descriptors like "nearly complete" or "just begun" to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly finished" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state of something that is not yet complete. As indicated by Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partly finished" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something that is not yet complete, indicating a stage of progress. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of completion to avoid misleading your audience. Alternatives like ""incomplete"" or ""unfinished"" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide array of writing styles. Overall, "partly finished" is a useful and reliable phrase for expressing the state of something that is in progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incomplete

Focuses on the lack of completion, without necessarily implying progress.

Unfinished

Similar to "incomplete" but often implies an intention to complete the item at some point.

Partially completed

Emphasizes the aspect of completion that has occurred, rather than the lack thereof.

In progress

Highlights that work is currently underway.

Work in progress

Implies something is not yet in its final form and is still being developed.

Under construction

Typically used for buildings and infrastructures that are still being built.

Being developed

Emphasizes the development aspect of current projects.

Still in development

Emphasizes the ongoing process of creating or refining something.

Half-done

A more informal way to express that something is halfway to completion.

Not yet finalized

Highlights that something requires the final steps before approval.

FAQs

How to use "partly finished" in a sentence?

You can use "partly finished" to describe something that is not fully complete. For example: "The project is "partly finished", and we expect to complete it next week".

What are some alternatives to "partly finished"?

Alternatives include "incomplete", "unfinished", or "partially completed", depending on the context.

Is "partly finished" the same as "unfinished"?

While similar, ""partly finished"" emphasizes that some work has been done, whereas ""unfinished"" simply indicates that the work is not yet complete.

When should I use "partly finished" instead of "under construction"?

"Partly finished" is a general term applicable to various items, while "under construction" is specifically used for buildings or infrastructure projects that are still being built.