incomplete work

USAGE SUMMARY

"incomplete work" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to work that is not finished or that has not yet been completed. For example, "This research paper is incomplete work, but it should provide a good introduction to the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

At Agora village, Rebecca Awiyo complained about incomplete work.

The Guardian

What does one do with an incomplete work of art?

The Guardian - Music

This free series offers established and fledgling choreographers a chance to show new and incomplete work.

The New York Times

Without a formal contract there is no protection against shoddy or incomplete work.

The New York Times

If not, he said, that incomplete work could eat away at your concentration.

Independent

His instructions were that any incomplete work should be burned upon his death.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

As Darshak Sanghavi explains, it's clear that the issue of medical errors is complicated by concerns like incomplete work-rulescompliance, as well as by demonstrably poor practices like handoffs.

The New York Times - Magazine

Of his music, a few apparently incomplete works in Latin survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tryouts of incomplete works shouldn't be subjected to full formal reviews, but the audience -- professionals and civilians alike -- had much to say.

The New York Times - Arts

You can't create an index that government policy is going to be framed around on the basis of embryonic, tentative, incomplete works in progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 10th is a vexed work: entirely apart from its subject matter -- Mahler's meditations on everything from human frailty to his marital problems -- it raises practical and philosophical questions about how incomplete works by great composers should be treated.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects, specify the stage of "incomplete work" to provide context. For example, is it in the initial, mid, or final stages?

Common error

Don't just state that work is "incomplete". Specify what makes it incomplete. Detail the missing components or unfulfilled requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomplete work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "incomplete" modifies the noun "work". It describes the state or condition of something that is not yet finished. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from construction to artistic endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incomplete work" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe tasks, projects, or assignments that are not fully finished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's an acceptable phrase in written English. Occurring frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, it serves to inform about the state of progress. To enhance clarity, avoid vagueness by specifying what makes the work incomplete. Alternatives such as "unfinished task" or "uncompleted project" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfinished task

Focuses specifically on a task that hasn't been completed.

uncompleted project

Emphasizes a project that is still in progress or not finalized.

partially done job

Highlights that only a portion of the job has been executed.

deficient assignment

Indicates that the assignment is lacking or has shortcomings.

fragmentary piece

Suggests that the work is composed of disconnected parts.

sketchy undertaking

Implies that the effort is not thoroughly planned or executed.

imperfect creation

Conveys that the creation has flaws or is not fully realized.

flawed endeavor

Highlights that the endeavor contains mistakes or defects.

truncated effort

Indicates that the effort was cut short or reduced in scope.

patchy performance

Suggests that the performance is uneven or inconsistent.

FAQs

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

You can use "incomplete work" to describe tasks, projects, or assignments that have not been fully finished or finalized. For example, "The construction project was delayed due to "incomplete work" on the foundation".

What are some alternatives to "incomplete work"?

Alternatives include "unfinished task", "uncompleted project", or "partially done job", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "incomplete work" or "unfinished work"?

Both "incomplete work" and "unfinished work" are acceptable. "Incomplete" emphasizes the lack of necessary parts, while "unfinished" highlights the lack of completion. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone says a project is "incomplete work"?

It typically means that the project has not been fully executed according to the initial plans and expectations. There are likely missing elements or tasks that still need to be addressed before it can be considered finished.