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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
completed about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "completed about" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are estimating the completion of a task or project, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "The project was completed about two weeks ago."
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The conquest was completed about 640.
Encyclopedias
The bridge was completed about ad 135.
Encyclopedias
He has completed about 450 so far.
News & Media
The sale was completed about 9 a.m.
News & Media
Kohlberg, Kravis has completed about $40 billion worth of buyouts.
News & Media
In 12 games, Brady has completed about two-thirds of his passes.
News & Media
This final evolution was completed about 1890, and changes since that time have been trivial.
Encyclopedias
After his conquests were completed about 1514, he encouraged colonization and became governor of Cuba.
Encyclopedias
The first phase of the project, known as Maale Hazeitim, was completed about eight years ago.
News & Media
Completed about 600 ce, the Bavli served as the constitution and bylaws of Rabbinic Judaism.
Encyclopedias
The dam, which would be completed about 1990, would augment Seattle's hydroelectric capacity by 3.5%.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
For formal writing, replace "completed about" with more precise alternatives such as "substantially completed" or "virtually complete" to maintain a professional tone.
Common error
Refrain from using "completed about" without providing context or a specific timeframe. Vague estimations can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "completed about" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the approximate state of being finished. Ludwig shows it's used to express that an action has reached its end, but with a degree of imprecision regarding the exact timing or extent.
Frequent in
News & Media
37%
Encyclopedias
26%
Science
17%
Less common in
Wiki
13%
Formal & Business
4%
Reference
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "completed about" is a verb phrase used to indicate an approximate state of completion. Ludwig AI finds that it is acceptable but suggests that more precise alternatives may be preferable in formal contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, indicating a generally neutral register. While the phrase is commonly used, vague estimations should be avoided in favor of more specific timeframes or degrees of completion to enhance clarity. You can use alternatives like ""finished approximately"", ""nearly completed"", or "virtually complete" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
finished approximately
Emphasizes an estimated completion time, replacing "completed about" with a synonym for finished and approximating the time.
nearly completed
Indicates a state close to completion, focusing on the near-finished aspect rather than a specific time.
almost finished
Similar to 'nearly completed', highlighting the proximity to completion.
virtually complete
Implies that the task or project is so close to being finished that it is, for all practical purposes, done.
largely done
Focuses on the substantial portion that has been completed, suggesting only minor tasks remain.
substantially completed
Highlights the significant degree of completion achieved, suitable for formal contexts.
roughly completed
Similar to finished approximately, but focuses on the completed action instead of the estimated completion.
in the process of finishing
Shifts focus to the active process of completing the task, rather than the state of completion itself.
close to finishing
Indicates that the subject is nearing completion.
approaching completion
Emphasizes movement toward completion, suitable when discussing ongoing progress.
FAQs
How can I use "completed about" in a sentence?
You can use "completed about" when you want to indicate an approximate completion time or extent. For example, "The project was "finished approximately" two weeks ago" or "He had "nearly completed" half of the assignment."
What are some alternatives to using "completed about"?
Alternatives include ""finished approximately"", ""nearly completed"", "virtually complete", or "substantially completed" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
Is "completed about" grammatically correct?
While commonly used, "completed about" is not the most grammatically precise phrasing. It's generally acceptable in informal contexts, but more formal writing benefits from alternatives such as ""finished approximately"" or "largely done".
What is the difference between "completed about" and "finished approximately"?
"Completed about" is a more general and less formal way to express an approximate completion. "Finished approximately" provides a similar meaning but may be perceived as slightly more precise and suitable for formal contexts. The two can often be used interchangeably.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested