is all but complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is all but complete" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is almost, but not quite finished or completed. For example, "The remodeling of the kitchen is all but complete, with the final coat of paint still to be applied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But now, Trump's capitulation is all but complete.

The Washington Post

The deal is all but complete, they said.

The New York Times

And yet today, it is all but complete.

The New York Times - Science

This week's "Matchup" show is all but complete.

The New York Times

It is tempting to assume that the framework for monetary union is all but complete.

The Economist

After all, his dominance of the Hungarian political scene is all but complete.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Yet in a clear sign that the Bush administration believes that an agreement is all but completed, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates have briefed Congressional leaders on the deal.

The New York Times

Khaila will need to present receipts, but Ryu said that much probably has been spent because the retaining wall — whose costs represented the bulk of the $260,000 planned donation — is all but completed.

Los Angeles Times

Khaila will need to present receipts, but Ryu said that much probably has been spent because the retaining wall — whose costs represented the bulk of the $260,000 planned donation — is all but completed.

Los Angeles Times

His estrangement was all but complete.

The New York Times - Books

It has stooped to conquer the American masses, and the conquest has been all but complete.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is all but complete" to convey a high degree of certainty about an event or process being finished, but acknowledge that minor details might still need attention.

Common error

Avoid using "is all but complete" when significant work remains. It implies near-total completion, so ensure this is accurate to prevent misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is all but complete" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe a state of near completion or certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is all but complete" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something is very close to being finished. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject truly is nearing completion, as overstating the degree of completion can be misleading. Alternatives such as "is virtually complete" or "is almost complete" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually complete

Replaces "all but" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-total completion.

is almost complete

Uses "almost" instead of "all but", a more straightforward synonym.

is practically finished

Uses "practically" to convey a similar meaning to "all but".

is as good as complete

Emphasizes that for all practical purposes, it's complete.

is essentially complete

Emphasizes the essential aspects are finished.

is nearing completion

Shifts focus to the process of completion rather than the state.

is substantially complete

Highlights the degree of completion.

is close to being finished

More verbose, emphasizing the finishing aspect.

is on the verge of completion

Highlights the imminence of completion.

is nearing its end

Focuses on the final stages, indicating an end point.

FAQs

How can I use "is all but complete" in a sentence?

You can use "is all but complete" to indicate that something is very close to being finished. For example, "The construction of the new bridge is all but complete".

What are some alternatives to "is all but complete"?

Some alternatives include "is virtually complete", "is almost complete", or "is nearing completion".

Is it correct to say "is all but completed" instead of "is all but complete"?

While "is all but completed" might be understood, "is all but complete" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "is almost complete" and "is all but complete"?

Both phrases suggest near completion, but "is all but complete" often carries a stronger sense of certainty or inevitability than "is almost complete".