an incomplete picture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incomplete picture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or understanding that lacks full information or detail. Example: "The report provided an incomplete picture of the project's progress, leaving out key milestones."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, individually, the seven trials present an incomplete picture of the effective dosing range.

Diabetes Care

Still, the figures offer an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

The records paint an incomplete picture.

The New York Times - Sports

Those logs, though, present an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

But the applications data also presents an incomplete picture.

The Guardian

Although this research is important, it produces an incomplete picture.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

I believe that this article presents an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

The study, however troubling, offers only an incomplete picture.

The Economist

"But GDP provides an incomplete picture of human and societal development.

The Guardian

Focusing on women who have only been in parliament for three years provides an incomplete picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carey's family contends that the Stamford police files give an incomplete picture and raise more questions.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an incomplete picture", clarify what specific information is missing or what aspects are not fully represented to give more context.

Common error

Avoid using "an incomplete picture" as a definitive dismissal. Instead, acknowledge the limitations while still recognizing the value of the information that is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incomplete picture" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It describes a situation, understanding, or representation that lacks essential elements or full information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incomplete picture" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something lacks full information or detail. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in news, science, and business contexts to highlight limitations or prompt further inquiry. When employing this phrase, it's important to clarify what is missing to provide better context and avoid overstating the incompleteness. Alternatives like "a partial view" or "a fragmented perspective" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a partial view

Emphasizes that only a portion of the whole is being seen or considered.

a fragmented perspective

Highlights the idea that the understanding is broken into pieces and lacks cohesion.

a limited understanding

Focuses on the restricted scope of knowledge or comprehension.

an imperfect representation

Suggests that the portrayal is flawed or inaccurate.

a sketchy outline

Implies a lack of detail and thoroughness.

a superficial account

Indicates a lack of depth and a focus on surface-level details.

a distorted image

Highlights how the understanding is not only incomplete but also misrepresented.

a narrow scope

Focuses on the limited range of consideration.

a hazy impression

Conveys a sense of vagueness and lack of clarity.

an abridged version

Indicates that something has been shortened, potentially omitting important details.

FAQs

How can I use "an incomplete picture" in a sentence?

You can use "an incomplete picture" to describe a situation where information is lacking or not fully representative, for example: "The initial data gave "an incomplete picture" of the project's overall success."

What are some alternatives to "an incomplete picture"?

Alternatives include "a partial view", "a fragmented perspective", or "a limited understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "incomplete picture" or "complete picture"?

It depends on the context. "Incomplete picture" suggests that information is missing, while "complete picture" implies a full and comprehensive understanding. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What does it mean when someone says something paints "an incomplete picture"?

It means that the information presented is not comprehensive and may be missing key details, leading to a potentially inaccurate or misleading understanding of the situation.