data is incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'data is incomplete' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that the data you have is not enough to come to a conclusion or make a judgment. For example, "We cannot draw any conclusions because the data is incomplete".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some experts warn the Acars data is incomplete.

The Guardian

Campaigners said the true figure is likely to be higher as the data is incomplete.

The Guardian

Read the Document » The archive's data is incomplete.

The New York Times

Because The Post's data is incomplete, the actual number could be higher.

The Washington Post

"As the Land Registry can take several months to record a new transaction, the 2016 data is incomplete.

The Guardian - Money

I stress, again, that the data is incomplete, and are known to be incomplete.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But in some developing countries, this data is incomplete or hasn't been digitized yet.

Columbia University

The Cornell researchers acknowledge that the available data is incomplete, and industry groups were quick to counter their conclusions.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The data are incomplete.

The Guardian - Opinion

The group's data was incomplete.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even for that, the data were incomplete.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you know why the data is incomplete, mention it. This provides transparency and can help others understand the limitations of your work.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions solely based on "data is incomplete". Acknowledge the limitations and suggest further research or alternative interpretations to prevent misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data is incomplete" functions as a statement expressing a limitation or deficiency in the available information. It typically serves to qualify findings or conclusions, acknowledging that the existing data does not provide a full picture. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "data is incomplete" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of comprehensive information. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is showcased through its wide application across news, scientific research, and academic writings. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the reasons for the incompleteness and the potential impact on the analysis. Related phrases like "data is insufficient" or "data is fragmentary" can offer nuanced alternatives. However, avoid drawing definitive conclusions solely on incomplete data and acknowledge the limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data is fragmentary

Replaces "incomplete" with "fragmentary", emphasizing the broken or disconnected nature of the data.

data is deficient

Uses "deficient" instead of "incomplete", highlighting a lack or shortage of data.

data is patchy

Substitutes "incomplete" with "patchy", suggesting that the data is unevenly distributed or available.

data is insufficient

Replaces "incomplete" with "insufficient", stressing that the data is not enough for a specific purpose.

data is partial

Uses "partial" instead of "incomplete", indicating that only a part of the data is available.

data is inadequate

Replaces "incomplete" with "inadequate", implying that the data is not good enough or suitable.

data is sketchy

Substitutes "incomplete" with "sketchy", suggesting that the data lacks detail and is unreliable.

the information is lacking

Changes the structure to emphasize that information is absent.

data is unavailable

Shifts the focus to the lack of access to data.

the records are spotty

Uses "spotty" referring to how data is recorded and spread.

FAQs

How can I use "data is incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "data is incomplete" to indicate that the available information is not comprehensive or sufficient. For example, "The analysis is limited because the "data is incomplete"."

What are some alternatives to saying "data is incomplete"?

Alternatives include "data is insufficient", "data is fragmentary", or "data is deficient". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "data are incomplete"?

While "data" is technically plural, it's often treated as singular in modern usage, especially in contexts where it refers to a body of information. Therefore, "data is incomplete" is generally preferred and more common, though "data are incomplete" isn't strictly incorrect.

What does it mean when the "data is incomplete"?

When the "data is incomplete", it means that some information is missing or unavailable. This can affect the reliability and validity of any analysis or conclusions drawn from the data.