imperfectly

USAGE SUMMARY

'imperfectly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means not perfect or incomplete. Example: The artist's painting was praised for its unique style, but many critics noted that it was imperfectly executed due to the slight smudging of the colors in some areas.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The BBC lives by noble ideals, of course often imperfectly executed, and is trying to get to the bottom of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the Alpine cantons started to bind together in medieval days, they developed a single market only in the 19th century—starting, like the EU, with goods and spreading imperfectly to services.

The Economist

The retrial seemed to show that the wheels of Guatemalan justice would continue to turn however slowly and imperfectly.

The Economist

In Yemen, where subsidies for diesel and petrol have been shrinking for years, the government is boosting the number of families eligible for help from its Social Welfare Fund.Yet even in countries where reform has taken place, it has been done imperfectly.

The Economist

But it is more plausible to blame the trial's flaws on a legal system that has only imperfectly made the leap from being venal and biddable under dictatorship towards judicial independence and due process.

The Economist

Moscow's food markets—notorious for ruthlessly enforced cartels were probably not the only ones in the world where the principles of Adam Smith were imperfectly applied.

The Economist

Such are coalition politics, and it is heartening to see Republicans, however imperfectly at first, begin the process of building a diverse, policy-based coalition.Read on: Lexington says Mr Paul is running from Goldwater's ghost(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

It also stands for how imperfectly the Conservative prime minister has learned the lessons of Tony Blair, his thrice-winning New Labour predecessor, who was a far more accomplished phony football fan.Mr Blair was not the first Labour Party prime minister to understand the potency of Britain's most popular game.

The Economist

But it is unlikely to pay for fundamental research in what is still an imperfectly understood field.

The Economist

The ex-Soviet republics—another area where many people long for religion and older faiths are imperfectly organised could in principle be fertile ground, but in practice pickings have been thin: there are 19,000 adherents in Russia and 10,000 in Ukraine.Why do the Mormons attract followers while many other religions decline?

The Economist

It worked, however imperfectly, until German unification in 1871 produced a country too big for other Europeans to contain.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imperfectly", ensure the context clarifies what the ideal or perfect state would be for comparison. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "imperfectly" when a situation is utterly failed or ruined. The word implies a deficiency, not a total absence of quality or success.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "imperfectly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action, state, or quality is not performed or realized perfectly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imperfectly" is a grammatically sound adverb used to express that something is done with flaws or not to a perfect standard. Ludwig AI confirms the expression's correctness. It is frequently found in diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Science, with the semantic range going from "not perfectly" to "with flaws". When using "imperfectly", ensure the context establishes the ideal point of comparison and remember that the term implies a deficiency, not a total failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not perfectly

This alternative directly negates perfection, highlighting a lack of flawlessness.

with imperfections

This alternative highlights the existence of flaws, focusing on the presence of defects rather than a lack of perfection.

with flaws

This phrase explicitly acknowledges the presence of imperfections.

not ideally

This suggests a deviation from an optimal or desired state.

in a deficient manner

Focuses on the inadequacy or lack of something necessary.

to a limited extent

Indicates a restriction or boundary to the degree of completion or quality.

partially

Indicates something is only done in part, not wholly or completely.

with shortcomings

Highlights specific weaknesses or failings.

not entirely

Suggests something is not complete or whole.

in a faulty way

Emphasizes errors or defects in the process or result.

FAQs

How can I use "imperfectly" in a sentence?

You can use "imperfectly" to describe something done with flaws or not to a perfect standard. For example, "The task was completed "imperfectly", but it was still useful."

What are some alternatives to using "imperfectly"?

Alternatives include "not perfectly", "with flaws", or "not ideally", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "imperfectly"?

Yes, "imperfectly" is a grammatically correct adverb. It is the adverbial form of the adjective "imperfect".

What's the difference between "imperfectly" and "incorrectly"?

"Imperfectly" means something is not done to a perfect standard, while "incorrectly" means something is wrong or inaccurate. Using "imperfectly" suggests there's a degree of accuracy, whereas "incorrectly" denotes an error.