incomplete pieces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incomplete pieces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items or elements that are not whole or finished, often in contexts like art, writing, or projects. Example: "The artist displayed several incomplete pieces at the gallery, showcasing her creative process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But Wilson will have the first shot, using at least two of the incomplete pieces on his own Gershwin record.

The Guardian - Music

Dr. Prusoff and Dr. Lin resynthesized the molecule and found in laboratory tests that it short-circuited the viral enzyme in H.I.V., causing it to produce short, incomplete pieces of DNA rather than complete strands.

The New York Times - Health

By December 1986 they had accumulated substantial test-tube evidence of d4T's safety in human cells and its effectiveness against H.I.V.; it works by short-circuiting the enzyme that makes the viral DNA, causing it to turn out short, incomplete pieces of DNA rather than complete strands.

The New York Times - Health

"My son left many incomplete pieces and even more unfinished ideas.

Huffington Post

Yet, there remain some incomplete pieces to the crime scene that still could spark a conversation about conspiracy and even murder, but it is you the audience who must fill in the mysteries, which reveals more about our worldviews.

Huffington Post

Of his Raw series, Kivinen tells Creators, it's difficult to allow the incomplete pieces to remain unedited and imperfect: "It's hard to try and learn to love the process as much as the end result... stopping at a pure moment is difficult for me," he says.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In 1994 in Edinburgh he was persuaded against his better judgment to put an incomplete piece of work into a main theatre instead of a workshop production – the first night overran by more than two hours.

The Guardian

There are only incomplete ones pieced together by employers, law enforcement agencies and news organizations.

The New York Times

PB design is one special type of a two-level fractional factorial design based on the incomplete equilibrium piece principle.

AMB Express

The hoard included 78 chessmen from at least four different, incomplete sets; some pieces resembling checkers; and a belt buckle carved from ivory.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Bush's elliptical characterization of Mr. Cheney's hospitalization was just one example of the way in which information about his medical condition came out in seemingly delayed and incomplete bits and pieces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing creative projects or research findings, use "incomplete pieces" to accurately represent elements that are still under development or require further elaboration. For example, "The study presented several incomplete pieces of evidence, warranting further investigation."

Common error

Avoid using "incomplete pieces" when "incomplete" alone suffices. "The data is incomplete" is more concise than "The data consists of incomplete pieces" when referring to an entire dataset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomplete pieces" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes elements or components that are not yet whole or finished. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable phrase in English. The examples provided showcase it in contexts of art, research, and information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incomplete pieces" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe elements that are not whole or finished. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is effective in various contexts such as news, science, and the arts. While often neutral, its use implies a degree of incompleteness or ongoing development. When using the phrase, ensure it appropriately represents the fragmented or unfinished nature of the subject and avoid redundancy when "incomplete" alone suffices. Consider using alternatives like "unfinished fragments" or "partial segments" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfinished fragments

Replaces "pieces" with a synonym and emphasizes the broken nature.

partial segments

Substitutes both words with near synonyms, implying a lack of completeness.

uncompleted sections

Changes "incomplete" to "uncompleted" and "pieces" to "sections" maintaining the meaning.

defective components

Focuses on the faulty nature of the pieces rather than their incompleteness.

fragmentary parts

Replaces "pieces" with "parts" and emphasizes the fragmented nature of the whole.

truncated portions

Implies that the pieces have been cut short or reduced in size.

imperfect portions

Suggests that the pieces are not flawless and lack completion.

patchy elements

Suggests that the elements are uneven and not fully developed.

flawed segments

Highlights the imperfections within the sections.

lacking constituents

Emphasizes the missing elements required for completeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "incomplete pieces" to describe something that is not whole or finished. For example, "The artist displayed several "incomplete pieces" at the gallery, showcasing her creative process."

What can I say instead of "incomplete pieces"?

You can use alternatives like "unfinished fragments", "partial segments", or "uncompleted sections" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "incomplete pieces"?

While "incomplete" can sometimes stand alone, "incomplete pieces" emphasizes that the whole is composed of parts that are not yet fully realized. This is useful in contexts where the composition is important.

How does "incomplete pieces" differ from "fragments"?

"Fragments" generally refers to broken or disconnected parts, while "incomplete pieces" suggests that the parts are still in a process of development or assembly but are currently lacking something to be considered finished. The focus is on the state of being unfinished rather than shattered.