in effect complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in effect complete" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is essentially finished or has the same result as being complete, even if not formally acknowledged. For example, "The project is in effect complete, despite some minor adjustments still needed." Alternative expressions include "essentially complete" and "practically complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In any case, imposing any restrictive clause on an author AFTER acceptance of the paper, when the contract between author is publisher is in effect complete, has no legal validity.

Duke University

Zivari said: "You've become your own play, in effect, complete with character development, unexpected plot twists, devastating defeats and mythological wisdom.

Huffington Post

Since complementary colors are, in effect, complete opposites, they play off of one another in order to make one another "pop" or stand out.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Then there is also the planned Road 45 going to Tel Aviv". All told, Mr. Meir, a member of the orthodox National Religious Party, said he hoped for about 25,000 homes, in effect completing a ring of Jewish settlements around the city.

The New York Times

It is also because, as public artworks, "The Gates" and "Floating Island" are like a split personality: "The Gates" invited public interaction and was, in effect, completed by it; the island, reflecting Smithson's intellectual and generally chilly aesthetic, floats off at a distance, inaccessible, inhabited by no one.

The New York Times

Keane, TE, Gingrich, JR, Rosner, G, Webb, KS, Poulton, SH, and Walther, PJ. "Combination versus single agent therapy in effecting complete therapeutic response in human bladder cancer: analysis of cisplatin and/or 5-fluorouracil in an in vivo survival model". Cancer Research 54, no. 2 (January 1994): 475-481.

Duke University

In a splendidly cheesy effect, complete with crude psychedelic superimpositions, the enraged adman bludgeons the hippie scuzzball to death.

The New York Times

The city has ordered, in effect, a complete review of the department's program for inspecting buildings of all sizes and complications across the city.

The New York Times

The breach, in effect, was complete.Four centuries later, the breach widened further, when a force of Franks and Venetians, sent to liberate Egypt, asked the Byzantines to give back money lent them by the Venetian Doge.

The Economist

The 1950s-type comanny man persona permeates, with row upon row of conservatively dressed workers who, in effect, offer complete and unobstructed loyalty to the "Republic of Samsung".

BBC

The second portion of the exhibition operates as a personal dreamworld; in effect, the complete opposite of an impersonal, efficient factory setting.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in effect complete" when you want to convey that something is functionally finished, even if some minor details or formal steps remain. This nuanced expression is useful in situations where strict adherence to formal completion isn't necessary for practical purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "in effect complete" when genuine, substantial work is still required. This phrase implies near-total completion; misusing it can mislead your audience regarding the actual progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in effect complete" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to the state of completion. It suggests that while something might not be technically or formally finalized, its practical outcome is equivalent to being complete. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in effect complete" is a useful tool for expressing a state of functional completion, acknowledging that minor details might remain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, including academia, news, and general discourse. While less frequent than simpler expressions of completion, "in effect complete" offers a nuanced way to communicate a state of near-finality. Remember to use it when you want to indicate that something is functionally finished, even if some minor details or formal steps remain, and be mindful of potential misinterpretations regarding the actual progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Emphasizes the near-total completion, lacking only minor elements.

practically complete

Highlights the functionality being complete despite potential formal incompletion.

essentially complete

Focuses on the core aspects of completion being achieved.

tantamount to complete

Suggests the phrase is equivalent in its effect as being complete.

effectively complete

Highlights the effectiveness of the completion, implying practical results.

for all intents and purposes complete

More formal, emphasizing the practical reality of completion.

as good as complete

Informal way of saying nearly complete.

near completion

Focuses on the state of being close to finished.

all but complete

Indicates that only a small part remains unfinished.

virtually finished

Uses a different adjective to express a similar concept.

FAQs

How can I use "in effect complete" in a sentence?

Use "in effect complete" to suggest something is practically finished, even if minor tasks remain. For example, "The project is in effect complete, pending a final review".

What phrases are similar to "in effect complete"?

Alternatives include "virtually complete", "practically complete", or "essentially complete". These alternatives convey a similar meaning of near or functional completion.

Is it appropriate to use "in effect complete" in formal writing?

Yes, "in effect complete" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider alternatives like "virtually complete" or "essentially complete" if a more precise or emphatic tone is desired.

What's the difference between "in effect complete" and "completely finished"?

"In effect complete" suggests a functional completion with possible minor items remaining, while "completely finished" implies every aspect is done. The first leaves room for small outstanding tasks, the second does not.