half done

USAGE SUMMARY

"half done" is not an idiom or expression that is commonly used in written English.
If you are trying to express the idea of something being incomplete or not fully finished, you might say "halfway done" or "partially done". For example, "I'm only halfway done with my work, so I can't go out yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

WELL begun; half done.

The Economist

"They're half done rebuilding Iraq".

The New Yorker

But her trip was only half done!

The New Yorker

But the trial is only half done.

The New York Times

NEVER leave a job half done.

The Economist

But their job was only half done.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

His second goal increased their lead to 8-3 withethird quarterrter half-done.

The New York Times

They found it nearly impossible to leave a job half-done, to do the next day.

The New York Times - Health

"It's job half-done.

BBC

"In terms of the tie we've only got the job half-done.

BBC

But the job remains barely half-done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half done", clarify what portion remains. For example, instead of saying "The project is half done", specify "The project is half done, with the documentation phase remaining".

Common error

Don't assume that because something is "half done" it will definitely be finished. Acknowledge potential obstacles. Instead of saying "It's half done, so it's basically finished", consider "It's half done, but we still need to overcome several challenges to complete it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half done" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating the degree to which something has been completed. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing tasks, projects, and even states of mind, demonstrating its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half done" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is partially completed. While Ludwig AI indicates this is not a common idiom, the tool does provide numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. The phrase functions as an adjective and holds a neutral register, making it suitable for a range of communications. When using "half done", it's beneficial to clarify the remaining work to avoid ambiguity. Although widely acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially completed

Emphasizes the partial aspect of the completion, similar to "half done".

halfway finished

Focuses on the progress made towards completion, analogous to "half done".

incompletely executed

Highlights the lack of full execution, mirroring the state of being "half done".

partially realized

Suggests that the full potential or outcome has not been achieved, like something "half done".

still in progress

Indicates ongoing work, reflecting the uncompleted nature of something "half done".

work in progress

A more general term for something not yet finished, like "half done".

under construction

Implies active development, sharing the incompleteness aspect of "half done", primarily used in construction contexts.

unfinished

A simple synonym denoting a lack of completion, comparable to "half done".

yet to be completed

Emphasizes the future completion, similar to the current state of being "half done".

remains outstanding

Suggests that some portion is left to be done to achieve completion, similar to something "half done".

FAQs

What does "half done" mean?

"Half done" signifies that something is partially completed, with approximately 50% of the task or process finished.

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

You can use "half done" to describe tasks or projects that are in progress. For example, "The painting is "partially completed", but the background is still "yet to be completed"".

What are some synonyms for "half done"?

Alternatives to "half done" include "partially completed", "halfway finished", or "incompletely executed".

Is it appropriate to use "half done" in formal writing?

While "half done" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "partially completed" or "work in progress" may be preferred in academic or professional contexts.