half a job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half a job" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that has been completed only partially or inadequately. Example: "Completing only the first half of the project is just half a job; we need to finish the entire assignment to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Not bad for half a job.

The New York Times

It's half a job done".

The Guardian - Sport

More people will be in work, which is good news: far better to have half a job than no job at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

If each lost job would have led to half a job being created as a result of workers spending their wages, this would bring the total impact to 600,000 jobs.

The New York Times

The British & Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, said it was "half a job done" after his team earned a 23-21 victoverover Australia in Brisbane when Kurtley Beale missed a penalty in the final moments of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

"So I'm a little bit disappointed at maybe half a job done".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Still, she projects such quiet disdain for sloppiness that "half-a-job Bob" — her biggest insult — stings as much as any bleepable tirade.

The New Yorker

"You fuckin' half-a-job!" Coot shouted.

Vice

"Alright, you fucking half-a-job, get through those doors then.

Vice

"What, you fucking half-a-job, you haven't finished a pallet all night, you cunt, what you 'oh Jesusing' about now?" "It just sounds like a lot of bother".

Vice

This time the header looped wide, and a scoreless first half represented a job well done for Clough's team.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half a job", ensure the context clearly indicates what part of the job remains to be done. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "half a job" when you mean to say the job was done poorly but completely. "Half a job" specifically means incomplete, not necessarily bad.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a job" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object to describe something that is incomplete or not fully executed. Ludwig examples show it commonly expresses disappointment or a need for further action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half a job" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an incomplete task. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While predominantly found in news and media sources, it's versatile enough for both informal and neutral professional settings. To enhance clarity in writing, consider explicitly stating what remains undone when using this phrase. If a more formal tone is needed, alternatives like "incomplete task" or "unfinished business" might be more suitable. Avoid using it to simply denote poor work quality; instead, reserve it for situations where the task is genuinely unfinished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

job left undone

Directly states that the job wasn't completed.

work left unfinished

Highlights something was not fully completed.

incomplete task

Focuses on the unfinished nature of the work.

partially completed work

Emphasizes the work that was done, but not to completion.

unfinished business

Implies an ongoing task or responsibility.

work in progress

Highlights that the job is still being worked on.

aborted attempt

Suggests the job was started but then abandoned.

sketchy work

Refers to a job done poorly or superficially.

preliminary effort

Indicates an initial step but not a final product.

unfulfilled endeavor

Highlights the lack of completion in a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "half a job" in a sentence?

You can use "half a job" to describe a task that is only partially completed. For example, "Completing only the first phase of the project is just "half a job"; we need to finish the entire assignment to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "half a job"?

Alternatives include "incomplete task", "partially completed work", or "job left undone". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "half a job" in a formal setting?

While "half a job" is generally understood, it may be considered informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more professional alternatives like "unfinished business" or "work in progress".

What does it mean when someone says they did "half a job"?

It means that they only completed part of the assigned task, leaving the rest "incomplete". It implies that further work is required to finish the task properly.