a feeling of incompleteness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a feeling of incompleteness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an emotional state where someone feels that something is missing or not fully realized. Example: "After finishing the project, I was left with a feeling of incompleteness, as if there was more I could have done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A feeling of incompleteness.

The New York Times

I have a feeling of incompleteness".

The Guardian - Sport

Webb was stung, too, by a feeling of incompleteness.

The New Yorker

She said she had hoped to assist the authorities and to help Miss Moxley's mother, Dorthy, resolve a feeling of incompleteness.

The New York Times

And his lost arm seems to echo a feeling of incompleteness within the clients — especially gay men — who court and use him.

The New York Times

The destruction of the parent-child bond was a persistent source of melancholy, a feeling of incompleteness that weighed down the soul.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The feeling of incompleteness remains because my son Salman was a part of my body; every breath I take reminds me of him".

Huffington Post

A feeling of slowness.

WikiHow

The Racinian view, then, is of a humanity consumed by feelings of incompleteness and by a compensatory drive for acceptance in a world of passionate self-interest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Emerging evidence implicates an important relationship between feelings of incompleteness and compulsive checking.

Journal of Anxiety Disorders

Kjell et al. (2013) argued that current life satisfaction overemphasizes the judgmental process of evaluating the surroundings according to one's expectations which can lead to feelings of incompleteness and dissatisfaction.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a feeling of incompleteness" to express a lingering sense that something essential is missing, particularly in emotional or personal contexts. It accurately describes the subjective experience of lacking closure or fulfillment.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise language like "lack of data" or "unfinished analysis" to convey specific deficiencies instead of relying on the more vague "a feeling of incompleteness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a feeling of incompleteness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an emotional state, indicating a subjective experience of lacking something essential. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a feeling of incompleteness" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a subjective emotional state of lacking something essential. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, it's less common in formal writing where more specific language might be preferred. Alternatives like "a sense of unfulfillment" or "a sense of lack" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. While the phrase is versatile, remember to consider your audience and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of lacking

Replaces 'feeling' with 'sense' and focuses on the active state of missing something.

a sense of unfulfillment

Substitutes 'incompleteness' with 'unfulfillment', highlighting dissatisfaction.

an awareness of something missing

Emphasizes the conscious recognition of a void or absence.

a perception of deficiency

Replaces 'feeling' with 'perception' and uses 'deficiency' to denote lack.

a nagging sense of something undone

Highlights the persistence and unfinished nature of the feeling.

a void within

Uses metaphorical language to describe the internal lack.

an unsatisfactory feeling

Directly describes the feeling as not meeting expectations or needs.

a state of yearning

Implies a longing for something to be whole or fulfilled.

an experience of lack

Focuses on the experience of not having something necessary.

a longing for closure

Highlights the desire for resolution or finality.

FAQs

How can I use "a feeling of incompleteness" in a sentence?

You can use "a feeling of incompleteness" to describe a lingering sense that something essential is missing after an event or task. For example, "Despite finishing the project, I still had "a feeling of incompleteness"".

What's a more formal way to express "a feeling of incompleteness"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a sense of unfulfillment" or "a sense of lack" to maintain a professional tone. Both phrases convey the same concept of something missing without sounding too emotional.

What can cause "a feeling of incompleteness"?

"A feeling of incompleteness" can stem from various situations, such as unresolved issues, unfinished projects, or the loss of something significant. It often arises when there's a lack of closure or fulfillment in a particular area of life.

How is "a feeling of incompleteness" different from sadness or disappointment?

While sadness and disappointment are specific emotional responses to negative events, "a feeling of incompleteness" is more of a general sense that something is missing or unresolved. It's less intense than sadness and less directly tied to a specific disappointment.