completed by now

USAGE SUMMARY

"completed by now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was expected to be done by a certain time in the past. For example: "The project was supposed to be completed by now, but we're still working on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We would have had it completed by now".

The New York Times

Usually, influenza immunization programs have been completed by now.

The New York Times

The Senate bill was supposed to have been completed by now, but it hit snags, and uncertainty looms over its arrival date.

The New York Times

The sale was supposed to be completed by now but was delayed after Santander bank pulled out of buying the branches.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, in the not-so-stimulating category, we have $650 million to further assist the "digital-to-analog converter box program," which was supposed to have been completed by now, but which has been delayed.

The New Yorker

Dr. Weyer said in an interview that she had hoped that rapid surveys and screening tests would have been completed by now to show better the geographic extent of the disease.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Suggestions from Trump's lawyers that Mueller's probe would be completed by early this year now seem laughable.

The New Yorker

The extension of a Long Island Railroad spur to Ken edy International Airport, once scheduled to be completed by 1972, now will not be finished before 1974.

The New York Times

The stadium was supposed to cost about 500 million reais (about $227 million) and be completed by July; now it will cost at least 600 million reais and is scheduled to be finished by December, Neto said.

The New York Times - Sports

Foster planned to accommodate 50,000 residents and 40,000 commuters and the city was due be completed by 2016; now the final population will probably not exceed 40,000 and the completion date has been put at 2021 or 2025.

The Guardian

By moving our mind/body experience into this center, and therefore a new dimension, a triangle is completed by our now holistic line of vision.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completed by now" when you want to express that something was scheduled or expected to be finished earlier, but it is not. For a stronger emphasis, consider adding a reason for the delay or a consequence of the non-completion.

Common error

Don't use "completed by now" to indicate future actions. This phrase is specifically for past expectations. For future expectations, use phrases like "will be completed by then" or "should be completed by that time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed by now" primarily functions as a postmodifier, indicating that an action or project was expected to be finished at the time of speaking, but is not. It often implies a sense of delay or unfulfilled expectation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it refers to something that was expected to be done by a certain time in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completed by now" is a useful tool for expressing the idea that something was expected to be finished at a particular time in the past, but is not yet complete. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English for referencing past expectations. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media, and its register is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. It's crucial to avoid using it in future tense; instead, opt for phrases like "will be completed by then". Remember to focus on what you want to express and the different meaning and remember to consider which nuance is more appropriate in each case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have been finished

Emphasizes an obligation or expectation that something should have already been done.

was due to be finished

Highlights a scheduled or planned completion time that has passed.

ought to be done

Implies a moral or logical necessity for something to have been completed.

should be ready

Focuses on the readiness or availability of something at the present time, based on a past expectation.

was expected to be over

Specifically addresses the end or cessation of an event or activity.

was supposed to be over

Like 'was expected to be over', but can also express more surprise/annoyance

should be finalized

Highlights the completion of a final stage or decision-making process.

was projected to be completed

Uses projection/forecast terminology.

should have reached conclusion

Implies that the ending or result must happened.

was anticipated to be concluded

Focuses on the initial anticipation that it must happened.

FAQs

How can I use "completed by now" in a sentence?

You can use "completed by now" to indicate that something was expected to be finished at the present time. For example, "The project was supposed to be "completed by now", but there have been some delays".

What's the difference between "completed by now" and "finished already"?

"Completed by now" implies a prior expectation or deadline for completion. "Finished already" simply states that something is already done, without necessarily implying a past expectation. You may want to use "finished already" if the action is already happened.

What can I say instead of "completed by now"?

You can use alternatives like "should have been finished", "was due to be finished", or "ought to be done" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "will be completed by now"?

No, "will be completed by now" is grammatically incorrect. "Completed by now" refers to something that was expected to be done in the past. Use "will be completed by then" or "should be completed by that time" for future expectations.