but not completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true to a certain extent, but not entirely or fully. Example: "The project is on track, but not completely finished yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But not completely.

The New York Times - Sports

But not completely so.

The Economist

But not completely opaque.

The Economist

But not completely unremarked.

The Washington Post

Sunscreens help, but not completely.

Cornell University

"I am a little, but not completely.

The New Yorker

Mr. Pinajian remained unknown, but not completely.

The New York Times - Arts

Good joke, but not completely absurd.

The New York Times - Food

A minor but not completely insignificant example.

The New Yorker

But not completely naked either.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Geothermal is supposedly clean but not completely.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but not completely" to introduce a nuanced perspective, acknowledging a partial truth or outcome rather than a full one. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but not completely" when a simple negative statement suffices. For instance, instead of saying "The task is but not completely finished", consider "The task isn't finished yet" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not completely" functions as a qualifier, modifying a preceding statement to indicate that it is true to some extent, but not entirely or fully. It's used to introduce a degree of uncertainty or limitation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but not completely" is a versatile tool for expressing partial agreement or limited completion. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "though not entirely" or "yet not fully" offer stylistic variations, "but not completely" maintains a neutral tone appropriate for most situations. It is important to use the phrase thoughtfully, avoiding redundancy when simpler negations suffice, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can wield "but not completely" to add nuance and precision to their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

though not entirely

Replaces "completely" with "entirely", maintaining similar meaning but altering word choice.

yet not fully

Uses "yet" in place of "but" and "fully" in place of "completely", providing a slightly more formal tone.

however, not altogether

Introduces "however" for emphasis and replaces "completely" with "altogether", indicating a similar level of limitation.

still, not entirely

Employs "still" instead of "but" while retaining a similar degree of incompleteness.

partially, but not wholly

Replaces "completely" with "wholly" and adds "partially" to emphasize the partial aspect.

not quite entirely

Reorders the structure, using "not quite" to soften the negation and emphasize partiality.

to some extent, but not fully

Adds "to some extent" to explicitly state the partial nature of the condition.

not in every respect

Shifts the focus to specific aspects rather than the overall state, implying that it is not complete in all areas.

up to a point, but not absolutely

Specifies a limit while highlighting the lack of absoluteness.

not down to the last detail

Focuses on the lack of minute completion, suggesting that while mostly done, the details are not complete.

FAQs

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

The phrase "but not completely" is used to indicate that something is true or has happened to a certain extent, but not entirely. For example, "The problem is solved, "but not completely"" suggests the solution is partial.

What are some alternatives to "but not completely"?

Alternatives include phrases like "though not entirely", "yet not fully", or "however, not altogether". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but not completely"?

Yes, "but not completely" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It's a standard way to express that something is only partially true or complete.

When should I avoid using "but not completely"?

Avoid using "but not completely" if a simpler, more direct negative statement is clearer and more concise. For example, instead of saying "It's "but not completely" clear", you might simply say "It's unclear".