incomplete picture

USAGE SUMMARY

"incomplete picture" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not whole or that is missing vital information. For example, "We have an incomplete picture of the situation, so let's continue to investigate further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The records paint an incomplete picture.

The New York Times - Sports

Those logs, though, present an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

Still, the figures offer an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

Averages paint a very incomplete picture.

University of California, Berkeley

Although this research is important, it produces an incomplete picture.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

But the applications data also presents an incomplete picture.

The Guardian

I believe that this article presents an incomplete picture.

The New York Times

The study, however troubling, offers only an incomplete picture.

The Economist

"But GDP provides an incomplete picture of human and societal development.

The Guardian

Focusing on women who have only been in parliament for three years provides an incomplete picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carey's family contends that the Stamford police files give an incomplete picture and raise more questions.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incomplete picture" to introduce the need for further investigation or analysis to obtain a more comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "incomplete picture" as a definitive conclusion. Instead, use it as a transition to explain what further information is needed or how the current understanding can be improved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomplete picture" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig provides examples illustrating how it describes a lack of comprehensive information or understanding about a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incomplete picture" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where information is lacking or not fully understood. As Ludwig examples show, it's frequently used in news, science, and academic contexts to highlight the need for more investigation or analysis. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it’s important to use it accurately and specify what aspects are missing. Alternatives such as "partial understanding" or "fragmentary view" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI confirms that "incomplete picture" is a usable and understandable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partial understanding

Focuses on the understanding derived from the information, rather than the information itself.

fragmentary view

Emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the perspective.

limited perspective

Highlights the constraints or boundaries affecting the scope of understanding.

sketchy outline

Implies a lack of detail and precision in the depiction.

unclear portrayal

Focuses on the ambiguity and lack of clarity in the representation.

superficial account

Suggests a lack of depth or thoroughness in the description.

rough estimation

Indicates approximation and a lack of precise measurement.

preliminary assessment

Highlights the initial and provisional nature of the evaluation.

tentative grasp

Emphasizes the uncertainty and fragility of the comprehension.

deficient account

Indicates that the information is lacking or not enough to portray the complete picture

FAQs

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

You can use "incomplete picture" to describe a situation where information is lacking or not fully understood. For example, "The data provides an "incomplete picture" of the market trends, so we need more research."

What are some alternatives to saying "incomplete picture"?

Alternatives include phrases like "partial understanding", "fragmentary view", or "limited perspective", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something provides an "incomplete picture"?

It means that the information available only shows part of the whole story, and there may be missing details or perspectives. Additional information is required to give a more complete and nuanced depiction.

How does an "incomplete picture" affect decision-making?

An "incomplete picture" can lead to flawed or biased decisions because the full scope of the situation is not understood. Therefore, it is essential to gather additional information before making critical choices.