incompleteness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "incompleteness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when something is not fully complete or lacking in some way. Example sentence: The incompleteness of the report made it difficult to draw any accurate conclusions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, Mr West's "Venona" is more source material than a readable story.Yet for all the incompleteness, each book adds considerably to our knowledge of what the Soviets accomplished.

The Economist

The true test of the reform is not the revenue it forgoes, but the economic distortions it removes.Unfortunately, the experiment is hampered by its incompleteness.

The Economist

And the authors accept that they may have missed some early record-breakers owing to the incompleteness of the historical data.Yet even with those caveats the list still warrants close study.

The Economist

But disasters are similar to battlefields in their degree of confusion and complexity, and in the consequent unreliability and incompleteness of the information available.

The Economist

The differences between political parties revealed during the formation of the committee suggest even more scope for disagreement during this stage of the committee's work.Moreover, the effectiveness of the law in revealing communist-era secrets may be compromised by the incompleteness of official records.

The Economist

This is Gödel's second incompleteness theorem.

SEP

The incompleteness phenomena affect provability.

SEP

Recall the discussion of incompleteness (section 2.2).

SEP

This, however, would contradict the incompleteness theorem.

SEP

Thirdly, incompleteness may be irresolvable.

SEP

Undoubtedly the most notorious of the limitations on the deductive method in mathematics are those which stem from Gödel's incompleteness results.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like theories or systems, use "incompleteness" to highlight inherent limitations or unresolved aspects. For instance, "The incompleteness of the model was addressed in the subsequent study".

Common error

Avoid using "incompleteness" when you mean "imperfection". "Incompleteness" refers to something lacking essential parts or being unfinished, while "imperfection" refers to flaws or defects in something that is otherwise complete. For example, a draft document may suffer from "incompleteness", while a final, published document may still contain "imperfections".

Linguistic Context

The word "incompleteness" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the state or condition of being not complete. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately represents the lack of wholeness or finish. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from historical data to theoretical frameworks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "incompleteness" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun that describes the state of being not complete. As Ludwig AI validates, it is appropriate to use when something lacks essential parts or is unfinished. It is particularly prevalent in scientific, academic, and news contexts, where it serves to highlight limitations or unresolved aspects. When using "incompleteness", ensure it is not confused with "imperfection", which refers to flaws in something that is otherwise complete. Alternatives include "lack of completeness" or "deficiency", depending on the specific shade of meaning you intend to convey. Understanding these nuances helps you to correctly apply the word in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of completeness

Focuses on the absence of completion rather than the state itself.

state of being unfinished

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of something not yet completed.

partial nature

Highlights that only a part is present, lacking the whole.

deficiency

Indicates a lack or shortage of something essential.

fragmentation

Implies that something is broken into pieces and lacks cohesion.

gaps in knowledge

Specifically refers to missing information or understanding.

absence of wholeness

Highlights the lack of a unified or complete state.

limited scope

Indicates that something does not cover the full extent or range.

underdevelopment

Suggests a state of being less developed than expected or desired.

rudimentary stage

Emphasizes the basic and undeveloped nature of something.

FAQs

How is "incompleteness" generally used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "incompleteness" often refers to limitations or unresolved aspects of theories, models, or systems. For example, researchers might discuss the "incompleteness of a theory" or a dataset.

What are some common synonyms for "incompleteness"?

Common synonyms include "lack", "deficiency", "partial nature", and "fragmentation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "incompleteness" differ from "imperfection"?

"Incompleteness" indicates that something is missing essential parts or is unfinished, whereas "imperfection" suggests the presence of flaws or defects in something otherwise complete. Using "imperfection" instead of incompleteness can alter your intended meaning.

Can "incompleteness" be a positive attribute?

While generally viewed negatively, acknowledging "incompleteness" can be a positive step in research or problem-solving. Recognizing "the limits of current knowledge" can drive further investigation and refinement.