all but complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but complete" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means nearly complete or almost complete. Example: The construction of the new building was all but complete, with only some minor finishing touches left to be done.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

His estrangement was all but complete.

The New York Times - Books

The deal is all but complete, they said.

The New York Times

And yet today, it is all but complete.

The New York Times - Science

This week's "Matchup" show is all but complete.

The New York Times

By then, the department's study of the Sept. 11 response was all but complete.

The New York Times

With the deal all but complete, the sides may not need further meetings.

The New York Times - Sports

The drift south during the intervening years, myself included, is now all but complete.

The Guardian

Similarly, in Simmons's last game against the Heat, his already formidable control seemed all but complete.

The New Yorker

It is tempting to assume that the framework for monetary union is all but complete.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

allowed that at least Ryan was thinking about it, despite Ryan's own all-but-complete rejection of the idea.

Huffington Post

The all-but-complete absence of congressional interest was first documented by National Journal reporter Niraj Chokshi, who tweeted a photo of the hearing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but complete" to convey a sense of near-total completion, emphasizing that only minor details remain to be finalized. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to highlight the progress made while acknowledging the remaining steps.

Common error

Avoid using "all but complete" when significant work still needs to be done. This phrase implies a very high degree of completion, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but complete" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the state of a noun as being in a condition of near completion. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing situations where something is very close to being finished.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all but complete" is a versatile phrase indicating that something is nearly finished. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. While it implies a high degree of completion, avoid using it if significant tasks remain. Alternative phrases like "virtually complete" or "almost complete" can be used, depending on the desired nuance. Remember that "all but complete" and "anything but complete" have opposite meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Replaces "all but" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-total state of completion.

almost complete

Uses "almost" instead of "all but", offering a more direct synonym for near completion.

nearly complete

Employs "nearly" as a substitute for "all but", indicating a close approach to completion.

practically complete

Substitutes "all but" with "practically", suggesting a state of completion in all practical terms.

as good as complete

Uses a more descriptive phrase to emphasize the functional equivalence to a completed state.

tantamount to complete

Indicates that the current state is equivalent in effect to being complete, though not technically so.

effectively complete

Highlights that the item is complete in effect, regardless of any minor outstanding tasks.

for all intents and purposes complete

A longer, more formal way of saying something is complete in every practical sense.

as near as dammit complete

An informal expression conveying near completion, using a colloquial intensifier.

virtually accomplished

Shifts the focus to accomplishment rather than completion, suggesting the goal is essentially achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "all but complete" in a sentence?

You can use "all but complete" to describe something that is very close to being finished. For example, "The project is "all but complete"; we just need to review the final report".

What's a more formal alternative to "all but complete"?

A more formal alternative to "all but complete" is "virtually complete" or "nearly complete". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it correct to say 'all but completed' instead of "all but complete"?

While "all but completed" is grammatically acceptable, "all but complete" is more common and idiomatic. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "all but complete" is generally preferred.

What's the difference between "all but complete" and "anything but complete"?

"All but complete" means nearly finished, while "anything but complete" means far from finished. They have opposite meanings.