highly incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly lacking in completeness or detail. Example: "The report was highly incomplete, missing several key sections that were crucial for understanding the project's outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is probably because of a highly incomplete fossil record.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You're seeing her trying to assimilate various literary influences, and sometimes the process of assimilation remains highly incomplete.

The New Yorker

Another factor in this mess is the highly incomplete institutional integration of the euro zone.

The Economist

(Well, not entirely at random it's from the first drawer of the New York Public Library's highly incomplete microfilm holdings of the paper).

The New Yorker

Though it proved to be in a highly incomplete state, the text was nevertheless marked by Nabokov's celebrated facility with allusion and wordplay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In general, fictitious objects are highly incomplete.

SEP

The outcropping Cisco Group is highly incomplete with an estimated 6 11% stratigraphic completeness.

Sedimentary Geology

In the production of innovative public goods, the contract between the government and the enterprise is highly incomplete.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Over 80% of highly lethal (incomplete) suicide attempters taken to emergency medical centers in Japan were diagnosed with axis I psychiatric disorders, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) [ 17].

BMC Public Health

A simulation study [ 6] comparing imputation procedures suggested that performing multiple imputation (MI) with regression switching (MICE) and using predictive mean matching (PMM) [ 5] may be preferred over other MI approaches or single imputation (SI) with highly skewed incomplete continuous covariates.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We will inform every scenario with the existing (but highly fragmentary and incomplete) literature relating professional development for the perspective digital scholarship under analysis.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly incomplete", ensure the context clearly specifies what is lacking or missing to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'The data is highly incomplete', specify 'The data is highly incomplete, missing key demographic information.'

Common error

Avoid using "highly incomplete" when the subject is only slightly lacking. Reserve it for situations where the deficiency is significant and impactful. If the incompleteness is minor, consider using phrases like 'somewhat incomplete' or 'partially complete'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly incomplete" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a significant lack of completeness. As Ludwig explains, it is used to emphasize that something is significantly lacking in detail or completeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly incomplete" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase to describe something that is significantly lacking in completeness or detail. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what is missing or lacking to avoid ambiguity. While highly useful, it's crucial to avoid overstating the degree of incompleteness and reserve it for situations where the deficiency is significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly lacking

Indicates a considerable deficiency, emphasizing the absence of necessary elements.

greatly deficient

Highlights a severe inadequacy or shortage in the required components.

substantially fragmented

Suggests that the subject is broken into many disconnected pieces.

largely partial

Implies that only a portion of the whole is present or considered.

markedly sketchy

Emphasizes a lack of detail and precision, indicating a superficial treatment.

notably inadequate

Draws attention to the insufficient nature of something.

distinctly insufficient

Highlights that something is clearly not enough or not up to par.

noticeably truncated

Suggests that something has been cut short or abruptly ended, resulting in incompleteness.

severely flawed

Indicates the presence of significant errors or defects, leading to incompleteness in functionality or accuracy.

patently imperfect

Highlights that something is obviously not ideal or complete, emphasizing its shortcomings.

FAQs

How can I use "highly incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "highly incomplete" to describe data, records, or documents that are missing significant information. For instance, "The fossil record is "highly incomplete", making it difficult to trace the evolution of certain species."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "highly incomplete"?

Alternatives to "highly incomplete" include "significantly lacking", "greatly deficient", or "substantially fragmented", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "highly incomplete" and "partially complete"?

"Highly incomplete" suggests a severe deficiency, with major portions missing. In contrast, "partially complete" indicates that some elements are present, but the subject is not yet finished or whole.

Is it appropriate to use "highly incomplete" in formal writing?

Yes, "highly incomplete" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or scientific contexts where precision is important. However, ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the subject "highly incomplete".