incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "incomplete" to describe something that is not fully finished or done. Example sentence: I handed in my assignment, but it was incomplete.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have to acknowledge that pre-1788, this land was as Aboriginal then as it is Australian now and until we have acknowledged that, we will be an incomplete nation and a torn people.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want the new government to focus on one major project at a time to execute, complete and implement for greater accountability and transparency rather than trying to execute multiple projects which are often mismanaged, incomplete and abandoned," she said.

The Guardian

The point about the European single market, however incomplete, is that EU member states actively try to promote more interdependence through trade because they trust each other – and build accompanying political institutions to entrench and extend that trust.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie summed it up: "The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete".

The Guardian

"We caveat this data – we have been for decades, cautioning individuals and organizations from drawing conclusions from it, because we recognize it is incomplete data, it is disparate data that leaves too many holes and gaps," Morris said.

The Guardian

6. GNM accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason.

The Guardian

It ran to several pages and more than 120 terms – and as that modest "Some" in its title acknowledged, it was incomplete.

The Guardian - Books

Most of the residents think the artworks should be returned to their rightful owners, though establishing who they are may take some time: many of the remaining records from galleries looted by the Nazis are sketchy and incomplete.

The Guardian

Why not download our cool new App?", an invitation helpfully translated by the wonderful XKCD site as: "Want to visit an incomplete version of our website where you can't zoom?" Welcome to appworld.

The Guardian - Tech

Additionally, audits are cursory, incomplete, and easily fooled by fake justifications.

The Guardian

Australia's policy towards asylum seekers was a "piecemeal and incomplete policy response, aspects of which are driven more by political considerations than any desire to find a sustainable and humane approach".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating a process or project, clearly define which aspects are "incomplete". This provides a clearer understanding of the outstanding tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "incomplete" when you mean "incompetent". "Incomplete" refers to something unfinished, while "incompetent" refers to a lack of skill or ability.

Linguistic Context

The word "incomplete" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns that are not whole, finished, or lacking necessary components. Ludwig provides examples that showcase this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incomplete" functions as an adjective indicating something is not finished or lacking required parts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for varied contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business settings, and Science. When using "incomplete", ensure you specify what is lacking or unfinished to provide clarity. Also, avoid confusing it with "incompetent", which describes a lack of ability rather than a state of incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not complete

Uses simpler language to convey the same meaning.

unfinished

Focuses on the aspect of not being brought to an end.

lacking

Emphasizes the absence of necessary components.

deficient

Highlights a specific shortage or inadequacy.

imperfect

Suggests the presence of flaws or shortcomings.

fragmentary

Implies that only pieces or parts are available.

partially done

Indicates that some work has been carried out, but not all.

unfulfilled

Suggests a lack of realization or accomplishment.

underdeveloped

Highlights the potential for further growth or completion.

scant

Emphasizes a limited or insufficient amount of something.

FAQs

How can I use "incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "incomplete" to describe something that is not finished or lacking necessary parts. For example, "The project is still incomplete" or "The data provided was incomplete".

What are some alternatives to the word "incomplete"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unfinished", "lacking", "deficient", or "imperfect".

Is it correct to say "slightly incomplete"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adverb "slightly" can modify the adjective "incomplete" to indicate the degree to which something is unfinished or lacking.

What's the difference between "incomplete" and "partial"?

"Incomplete" suggests that something is missing essential parts or is not yet finished. "Partial", on the other hand, means existing only in part or not total. An "incomplete" dataset might be missing entire entries, while a "partial" dataset might only contain some of the columns you expected.