almost complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost complete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is close to being finished, but still has some things left to do. For example: "The renovation project is almost complete; we just need to add a few finishing touches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Almost complete!

Yale University

Well, almost complete.

The New York Times - Arts

The station is almost complete.

The New York Times

Development is almost complete.

The Guardian

"It is almost complete.

The Guardian

The transformation was, almost, complete.

The Guardian

Her face is almost complete.

The Guardian - Music

He had almost complete privacy.

The New Yorker

"My G.E.D. is almost complete," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The rescue was almost complete.

The Guardian - Sport

Joe Biden's 2020 Plan Is Almost Complete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost complete" to convey that something is very near to being finished, but acknowledge that some final steps are still required. This adds a touch of realism and avoids overstating the degree of completion.

Common error

Avoid using "almost complete" when the task is significantly unfinished. This can mislead the audience and create unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost complete" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun representing a task, project, or state. It indicates the degree to which something is finished, implying nearness to completion but not full attainment, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost complete" is a grammatically sound and versatile adjectival phrase used to describe something nearing completion. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, highlighting its frequent appearance in diverse contexts such as news, science, and academia. With a neutral register, it effectively conveys the progress of tasks or projects, setting realistic expectations by acknowledging the remaining steps. Ludwig also provides examples that prove the versatility of the phrase, making it an invaluable tool in any writer's arsenal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly finished

Emphasizes the state of being close to the end, similar to "almost complete".

virtually complete

Implies a higher degree of completion, suggesting only minor details remain.

close to completion

Highlights the proximity to the final stage of a process or task.

nearing completion

Focuses on the ongoing process of approaching the end.

practically complete

Similar to 'virtually complete', but may allow for slightly more remaining work.

as good as finished

An idiomatic expression indicating a high level of confidence in the near completion.

on the verge of completion

Suggests an imminent finalization, emphasizing the closeness to being done.

in the home stretch

An informal idiom denoting the final phase of a task or project.

just about done

Colloquial way of saying something is very close to being finished.

approaching completion

Indicates the process of getting closer to the end point.

FAQs

How can I use "almost complete" in a sentence?

You can use "almost complete" to describe the state of a project, task, or process that is very close to being finished. For example, "The construction of the new bridge is "almost complete", and it is expected to open next month."

What are some alternatives to saying "almost complete"?

Alternatives to "almost complete" include "nearly finished", "virtually complete", or "close to completion". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost complete"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Almost" is an adverb modifying the adjective "complete", indicating the degree to which something is complete.

What's the difference between "almost complete" and "completely finished"?

"Almost complete" implies that there are still some minor tasks or details to finalize, whereas "completely finished" means that everything is done and no further work is required.