but not complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is partially finished or lacking in some way. Example: "The report is thorough but not complete, as we still need to gather more data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not complete proof.

The Economist

"The matter is closed — but not complete.

The New York Times

In the past I.B.M. has created stand-alone graphene transistors, but not complete electronic circuits.

The New York Times - Tech

Science is one story, he writes, true but not complete, and the world cannot be encompassed in one story.

The New York Times - Science

"People find their missing, but not complete," says Amor Mašovic, who set up the Muslim-Croat Federathen Missing Persons Commission after the war.

The Guardian

Nick Kristof, for instance, from the New York Times, posts updates on his Facebook page which are too long for Twitter, but not complete enough for the NYT.

The Guardian - Opinion

His party was, like the Conservatives, campaigning on the theme that repair was advanced but not complete, and could not be trusted to Labour.

The Guardian - Opinion

This space is convex, but not complete.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Physicians' perception of diagnostic accuracy was present but not complete.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Reduction, but not complete suppression, of edge enhancement is possible with close sample-to-detector distances.

Physics Procedia

By Example 2, the space ( X, p ) is 0-complete (but not complete).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not complete", ensure the contrast is clear. Specify what aspect is incomplete to provide better context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "but not complete" without clarifying what specifically is incomplete. Without context, the phrase becomes vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not complete" functions as a conjunction phrase, typically used to introduce a qualification or contrast. It indicates that while something may be advanced or present to some degree, it is lacking full realization or finality. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and used in real-world contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not complete" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to express that something is partial, unfinished, or lacking. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clarify specifically what aspect is incomplete to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "partially done" or "still in progress", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid the common error of omitting specifics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely finished

Highlights that the completion is less than total.

yet to be completed

Emphasizes the future aspect of the completion.

partially done

Emphasizes the aspect of being only partly finished.

remains unfinished

Emphasizes the continuing state of being not finished.

incomplete though

Reverses the order for emphasis, but retains the core meaning.

not wholly achieved

Highlights a shortfall in achieving a goal or state.

lacking completion

Focuses on the absence of full completion.

partially fulfilled

Refers to a goal or expectation that isn't fully realized.

still in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of the work.

inadequate although

Emphasizes the lack of adequacy despite some effort or progress.

FAQs

How can I use "but not complete" in a sentence?

You can use "but not complete" to indicate that something is partially finished or lacking in some way. For example, "The investigation is thorough, "but not complete", as we still need to interview several witnesses."

What are some alternatives to saying "but not complete"?

Alternatives include "partially done", "not entirely finished", or "still in progress", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not complete" or "incomplete"?

Both "not complete" and "incomplete" are grammatically correct. "Incomplete" is a single word and can sometimes sound more formal, while "not complete" might be preferred for emphasis or to maintain a specific rhythm in a sentence.

What's the difference between "but not complete" and "but unfinished"?

"But unfinished" directly implies that something has not reached its final state. "But not complete" is broader and can refer to something lacking necessary parts or aspects, not just being in progress. Depending on the context you may be able to replace "but unfinished" with "but not complete" or vice versa.