all but done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but done" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is nearly complete or finished, with only a small amount of work remaining. Example: "The project is all but done; we just need to finalize the presentation slides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now the minister is doing his best to throw sand in the wheels of a GE deal, which less than a day ago looked all but done.

The Economist

Roger Lane, said the campaign was all but done.

The New York Times

The biblical translation he has sponsored is all but done.

The New Yorker

Their day was all but done, with a dozen holes to play.

The New York Times - Sports

The Valencia president, Amadeo Salvo, said on Wednesday that the transfer was all but done.

The Guardian - Sport

Hard to see how he can guarantee that when the deal is all but done already.

The Guardian

Broad recovers with a couple of dots, but this is all but done and dusted.

The Guardian - Sport

The signing of LEE NAILON to a one-year, $1.3 million contract is all but done.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have heard that the Washington-Denver deal was all but done," the agent said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And yet, even though the end has been clear for some time, we should not let the all-but-done defenestration of the greatest magazine company in the history of the form go lightly.

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't drink alcohol at all, but do you have any other recommendations?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but done" to convey that something is very close to completion, but acknowledge that minor tasks might still be pending. It adds a nuance that a task is practically over without being definitively so.

Common error

Avoid using "all but done" when the task or project genuinely requires substantial work to be completed. It's misleading to suggest near-completion when significant steps remain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but done" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree to which an action or state is complete. It describes something that is nearly finished or certain. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but done" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something is very close to completion or certainty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While "all but done" is considered of neutral register, you may use alternatives like ""virtually complete"" or "practically finished" for similar effect. Remember to avoid overstating the degree of completion when using this phrase; only use it when the remaining work is minimal. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, "all but done" is a reliable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Emphasizes the completeness with only minor details possibly remaining.

practically finished

Highlights that the task is nearly brought to an end, with an emphasis on practical completion.

as good as complete

Stresses the high likelihood of completion without explicitly stating it.

almost finalized

Indicates that the final steps are in progress or about to be taken.

nearing completion

Highlights the ongoing progress toward the final state.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes the imminence of completion.

tantamount to finished

Draws a strong equivalence to being finished, suggesting a technicality prevents absolute completion.

effectively completed

Focuses on the functional aspect of completion, even if some formalities remain.

virtually achieved

Indicates that the desired outcome has been nearly reached.

on its final stages

Describes the progression of a project that it's closing to completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "all but done" to describe a task, project, or deal that is nearly finished. For example, "The negotiations are "virtually complete"; the contract is "all but done"."

What does "all but done" mean?

"All but done" means something is very close to being finished or completed; it is almost in a final state.

What can I say instead of "all but done"?

You can use alternatives like ""virtually complete"", "practically finished", or "as good as complete" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "all but finished"?

Yes, "all but finished" is a valid and semantically equivalent alternative to ""all but done"". Both phrases convey the same meaning of near completion.