complete this sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete this sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to finish a sentence that has been started, often in a writing or educational context. Example: "Please complete this sentence: 'The most important thing in life is...'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Complete this sentence.

The Guardian - Music

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated..

The Guardian

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Musician.

The Guardian - Film

Complete this sentence: At heart, I'm just a frustrated… Painter.

The Guardian

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Composer.

The Guardian - Arts

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Farmer.

The Guardian

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Architect.

The Guardian - Film

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Gardener.

The Guardian

Complete this sentence: At heart I'm just a frustrated... Film-maker.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Complete this sentence: I love team games.

BBC

Complete this sentence: At heart, I'm just a frustrated … Playboy.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complete this sentence" in educational materials, provide clear context or instructions about the desired type of completion (e.g., grammatically correct, creative, specific topic).

Common error

Avoid using "complete this sentence" in scenarios where the expected completion is too open-ended or subjective, as this can lead to confusion or irrelevant responses. Provide a clear framework or criteria for the completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete this sentence" functions as an imperative, directing someone to perform the action of finishing an incomplete sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete this sentence" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to instruct someone to finish an incomplete statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is widely accepted. It is versatile across different contexts, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science, and maintains a neutral tone suitable for varied audiences. Alternatives like "finish the sentence" or "fill in the blank" can be used depending on the level of formality and the specific type of completion required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish the sentence

Replaces "complete" with "finish", offering a slightly more informal tone.

add the missing part of this sentence

More explicit about the nature of the addition being required.

fill in the blank

Focuses on filling a gap within the sentence, implying a more structured or pre-defined missing part.

say the rest of the sentence

Directly asks for the remaining portion of the statement.

supply the missing words

Highlights the act of providing the absent lexical items to finalize the sentence.

state the final words of the sentence

Highlights the verbal expression of the sentence's ending.

provide the ending to this sentence

Emphasizes giving a concluding part rather than any missing part.

conclude this sentence

Shifts the focus specifically to the act of bringing the sentence to its final state.

add to this sentence

Implies an open-ended addition, not necessarily completing a pre-defined gap.

extend this sentence

Suggests lengthening the sentence, not necessarily completing it in a grammatical sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete this sentence" to instruct someone to finish an incomplete statement. For example, "Complete this sentence: 'The best part of waking up is...'"

What are alternatives to "complete this sentence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "finish the sentence", "fill in the blank", or "provide the ending to this sentence", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "complete this sentence" or "finish the sentence"?

"Complete this sentence" is generally considered slightly more formal than "finish the sentence", though both are widely acceptable. The choice often depends on the overall tone and context of the communication.

What's the difference between "complete this sentence" and "fill in the blank"?

While similar, "complete this sentence" implies providing any missing part of a sentence, whereas "fill in the blank" specifically refers to filling a pre-defined empty space within a sentence. The former is broader, while the latter is more specific.