complete on their own

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete on their own" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is self-sufficient or does not require additional elements to be understood or functional. Example: "These sentences are complete on their own and convey a clear message without needing further context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

There are several simulations available that address the difference between weak and strong acids; these could be used during a demonstration or assigned to students to complete on their own as part of laboratory exercises or homework (for one example, see Lancaster et al., 2011).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Samasource provides online training programs that workers can complete on their own time.

Harvard Business Review

His business includes DVDs, live online webinars, and $30 downloadable courses that people can complete on their own time and schedules.

MIT Technology Review

Teachers tell us they use Article of the Day as the basis for lesson plans, as homework or for extra-credit assignments students can complete on their own.

The New York Times

The complexity of the set would be tough for younger kids to complete on their own, but they could probably build it with assistance from an adult.

Princeton University

Truly great wines are complete on their own, but there are thousands that would come up short on their own, but once you have that agnolotti with white truffles, boy, do they taste good".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"I find it useful to try out various approaches with different groups of students". THE STUDENTS have found different kinds of benefits: a selection of faculty and courses that allows for greater variety, and in some cases for majors that could not be completed on their own campuses.

The New York Times

The response rate could have been lower because the questionnaire was sent electronically, from the manager to the employees, and the questionnaire was completed on their own time.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Start off by providing easier problems you know they can complete successfully on their own to give them a boost of confidence for the harder ones.

WikiHow

Between weekly live classes, students will complete coursework on their own time.

University of California, Berkeley

Individual homework assignments resembled the group work problems, except that students had to complete them on their own.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete on their own" to emphasize the self-sufficiency and independence of the subject in performing a task or activity. This highlights the individual's ability to handle the task without needing assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "complete on their own" in passive constructions where the actor is obscured. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is completing the task independently to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete on their own" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates how an action is performed, specifically emphasizing the independent manner in which a task is accomplished. As illustrated by Ludwig, this construction is widely utilized across various domains to denote self-reliance in executing duties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete on their own" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the self-sufficiency and independence of a subject in performing a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "finish independently" or "accomplish unaided" exist, "complete on their own" provides a clear and direct way to highlight autonomy. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by avoiding passive constructions and clearly identifying the actor performing the task independently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish independently

Focuses on performing the action without assistance.

execute by themselves

Highlights the self-reliance in carrying out the task.

accomplish unaided

Highlights the lack of external help in achieving the result.

undertake individually

Focuses on the personal responsibility for the task.

bring to fruition independently

Focuses on autonomously achieving the desired outcome.

manage autonomously

Emphasizes the self-governed aspect of task management.

achieve single-handedly

Focuses on accomplishing something without assistance.

perform single-handedly

Emphasizes doing something without any assistance whatsoever.

handle solo

Uses a more informal term to indicate doing something alone.

see through unaided

Highlights finishing a task without external support.

FAQs

How can I use "complete on their own" in a sentence?

You can use "complete on their own" to describe a task or activity that someone can do independently. For example, "Students can "complete the assignment on their own"".

What are some alternatives to "complete on their own"?

Alternatives include "finish independently", "accomplish unaided", or "manage autonomously" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "complete on their own" or "complete by themselves"?

"Complete on their own" and "complete by themselves" are similar, but "complete on their own" often emphasizes the independence and self-sufficiency in completing the task, while "complete by themselves" simply highlights the lack of assistance.

What's the difference between "complete on their own" and "complete independently"?

"Complete independently" is a more concise way of saying "complete on their own", but the latter may be preferred when emphasizing the personal aspect of self-reliance.