complete a list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete a list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of finishing or finalizing items on a list. Example: "Please complete a list of all the supplies needed for the project by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We have assembled as complete a list as possible below, organized by state.

Harvard University

Greek government officials are racing to complete a list of reform proposals that will be scrutinised by the country's international creditors this week as Athens seeks an extension to its €240bn (£177bailoutlout.

The Guardian

COLORADO SPRINGS — Flying high above the Rocky Mountains on Wednesday, Representative Paul D. Ryan and his brother Tobin jogged their memories to complete a list of the 14,000-foot summits below them that the vice-presidential nominee had climbed.

The New York Times

Consequently, we show you as complete a list as possible.

TechCrunch

However, if you only sometimes use to-do lists, then you might forget in between sessions how Sorted's interface works, and all its many hidden tricks — like how you can label selected reminders by using a particular swipe motion, how you swipe to complete a list or delete a list, how to swipe to create checklists and so much more.

TechCrunch

Costa Mesa would need $81 million in additional revenue to complete a list of spending projects over the next five years.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Such foundational work deserves the complete A-list treatment.

Huffington Post

Slide Show: The Complete Animation A-List.

Forbes

For a complete list of Emmy winners, head over here.

Huffington Post

| A complete list of winners.

The New York Times

A complete list is here.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "complete a list", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes completion. Is it finishing all tasks, gathering all items, or verifying all entries?

Common error

Avoid assuming that readers understand the criteria for list completion. Explicitly state the requirements, such as "complete a list of all required documents" or "complete a list by verifying all entries."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete a list" functions as a verb phrase where the verb 'complete' acts transitively, taking 'a list' as its direct object. This indicates the action of finishing or finalizing a list. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, like completing a list of actions or reform proposals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete a list" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the action of finishing or finalizing a list. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and general discussions. While primarily neutral in tone, its formality can shift depending on the surrounding context. To ensure clarity, explicitly define the criteria for completion when using this phrase. For alternative phrasing, consider "finish a list" or "finalize a list" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish a list

Replaces "complete" with "finish", emphasizing the act of bringing the list to an end.

finalize a list

Replaces "complete" with "finalize", suggesting a more formal or official completion.

wrap up a list

Replaces "complete" with "wrap up", an idiom suggesting tidying up or finishing a task.

conclude a list

Replaces "complete" with "conclude", indicating the list is brought to a definite end.

get through a list

Emphasizes the action of working through all items on the list.

check off items on a list

Focuses on the act of marking items as done, implying completion.

tick off items on a list

Similar to "check off", but with a slightly more informal tone.

go through a list entirely

Highlights the exhaustive nature of reviewing and addressing every item.

work through a list

Focuses on the process of addressing each item on the list, implying effort.

execute a list

Replaces "complete" with "execute", implying a formal or planned process.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete a list" to describe the action of finishing or finalizing a list of items or tasks. For example, "Please complete a list of all the attendees before the event starts."

What's a more formal alternative to "complete a list"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "finalize a list" or "execute a list" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "complete a list" in an informal context?

In an informal context, you could say "finish a list" or "wrap up a list".

How does "complete a list" differ from "start a list"?

"Complete a list" refers to finalizing or finishing an existing list, while "start a list" indicates the initiation or creation of a new list.