complete a sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete a sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of finishing or providing the necessary elements to make a sentence whole or grammatically correct. Example: "Please complete a sentence using the words provided in the exercise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He could hardly complete a sentence," Mr. Hoffman said.

The New York Times

We can scarcely complete a sentence without getting personal.

The Guardian - Opinion

For once, she fails to complete a sentence.

The Guardian - Film

You write that as a man, you can complete a sentence without being interrupted.

The New York Times - Science

Aposiopesis, (Greek: "becoming silent"), a speaker's deliberate failure to complete a sentence.

Britannica

She looked ill, unable to complete a sentence without stopping for a breath.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The eternally cheerful Barbon has trouble completing a sentence without contagious laughter.

The New York Times - Sports

He came home six weeks later permanently incapable of completing a sentence.

The New York Times - Magazine

As we spoke, he barely completed a sentence without invoking the likes of Plato.

The New Yorker

Broadbent talks about how much he loves acting, and amazingly completes a sentence.

The Guardian - Film

The director said the victim had recently completed a sentence in the Adolescent Reception and Detention Center on Rikers Island.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "complete a sentence", provide clear context or instructions on what is expected, such as specific vocabulary or grammatical constraints. For example, "Complete a sentence using the past perfect tense".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity when using "complete a sentence". Clearly define the criteria for completion, whether it's grammatical structure, specific vocabulary, or a particular theme. Otherwise, the instruction may be too vague to be helpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete a sentence" primarily functions as an instructional verb phrase. It directs someone to finish a sentence by adding missing elements. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in educational and practical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete a sentence" is a common and grammatically correct instruction used to prompt the filling of missing parts in a sentence. It's frequently found in educational settings and news articles. According to Ludwig, its function is primarily instructional, aiming to assess or improve language skills. While versatile, clarity in instructions is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "finish a sentence" and "fill in a sentence" offer similar meanings. Considering its frequency and the varied contexts in which it appears, "complete a sentence" remains a useful and relevant phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish a sentence

Focuses on the action of ending the sentence.

conclude a sentence

Emphasizes the act of bringing a sentence to its final part.

fill in a sentence

Highlights the action of adding missing information to a sentence.

end a sentence

Simply refers to putting an end to a sentence.

close a sentence

Similar to 'end a sentence', implying bringing a sentence to a close.

supplement a sentence

Suggests adding extra information to make a sentence more comprehensive.

round out a sentence

Indicates adding the finishing touches to a sentence to make it complete.

put the finishing touches on a sentence

Emphasizes the final stages of completing a sentence.

finalize a sentence

Indicates making a sentence final and complete.

flesh out a sentence

Describes adding details and substance to make a sentence more complete and meaningful.

FAQs

What does "complete a sentence" mean?

To "complete a sentence" means to finish a sentence by adding the missing words or phrases needed to make it grammatically correct and meaningful. It often involves filling in blanks in an exercise or providing the concluding part of an incomplete statement.

How can I improve my ability to "complete a sentence" correctly?

To improve your ability to "complete a sentence" correctly, practice regularly with grammar exercises, expand your vocabulary, and pay close attention to context. Understanding grammatical rules and common sentence structures is essential.

What are some alternatives to "complete a sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "finish a sentence", "fill in a sentence", or "conclude a sentence" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "complete a sentence" or "finished a sentence"?

The choice between "complete a sentence" and "finished a sentence" depends on the context. "Complete a sentence" is generally used as an instruction or direction, while "finished a sentence" describes an action that has already occurred.