are incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

"are incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not been finished or completed. For example, "The forms are incomplete and need to be finished before submitting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All are incomplete.

The New York Times

Confederate records are incomplete.

The New York Times

All books are incomplete.

The New York Times - Books

Services are incomplete.

The New York Times

Final services are incomplete.

The New York Times

Results are incomplete.

The New York Times

All articles are incomplete.

The New York Times

"They are incomplete doctors".

The New York Times

The data are incomplete.

The Guardian - Opinion

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Stories were incomplete.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or project, use "are incomplete" to clearly state that further steps are needed.

Common error

Avoid using "are incomplete" when the subject is merely delayed or paused. Ensure there's a genuine element of unfinished work, not just a temporary hold.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are incomplete" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of being unfinished or lacking essential parts. Ludwig provides several examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are incomplete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is unfinished or lacks essential parts. According to Ludwig, its usage spans diverse contexts, most notably News & Media, Science and Academia, with a generally neutral to professional register. To ensure clarity, avoid overstating the level of incompleteness. Consider alternatives such as "are unfinished" or "are insufficient" for nuanced meaning. With an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase remains a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unfinished

Focuses specifically on the state of not being finished.

are imperfect

Highlights the presence of flaws or shortcomings.

are lacking

Focuses directly on the absence of something.

are insufficient

Emphasizes a lack of required quantity or quality.

are partial

Implies only a part is present, not the whole.

are inconclusive

Highlights the lack of a clear or definitive result.

are deficient

Indicates a lack of something essential or necessary.

are fragmentary

Suggests the existence of disconnected parts or pieces.

are truncated

Implies something has been cut short or abbreviated.

are sketchy

Suggests a lack of detail or thoroughness.

FAQs

How can I use "are incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "are incomplete" to describe something that lacks necessary parts or is unfinished. For example, "The instructions "are incomplete", so I cannot finish the task".

What can I say instead of "are incomplete"?

You can use alternatives like "are unfinished", "are imperfect", or "are insufficient" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are incomplete" or "is incomplete"?

"Are incomplete" is used with plural subjects, while "is incomplete" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The data are incomplete", versus "The report is incomplete".

What is the difference between "are incomplete" and "are partially complete"?

"Are incomplete" means something lacks essential parts or is unfinished. "Are partially complete" means something has some parts finished but is not yet fully complete. The first implies a greater degree of unfinishedness.