is incomplete without

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is incomplete without" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something cannot be whole or complete without the presence or inclusion of something else. Example: "This project is incomplete without the necessary funding to support its development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everybody agrees that a plan is incomplete without an endgame.

The New York Times

A childhood is incomplete without at least one reading.

The Guardian

A meal at North Shore is incomplete without it.

The New York Times

The story of Mumbai is incomplete without Balasaheb Thackeray.

The New York Times

The defence is incomplete without coming to a view on this.

The Guardian - Books

He understood that art is incomplete without the perceptual and emotional involvement of the viewer.

The New York Times

That enrages some who say that justice is incomplete without punishment.

The Economist

And a walk on Taipei's wild side is incomplete without a visit to the Night Market in Shinlin district.

The Guardian - Travel

But the progress is incomplete without a federal law to recognize and protect the home care work force.

The New York Times

The reason is plain enough: The little moon is incomplete without a dog to bay at it.

The New Yorker

"Creleisure" was a word he concocted for idly participating in art that is incomplete without the visitor's contribution.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is incomplete without" to emphasize the crucial role of a specific element or aspect. For example, "A balanced diet is incomplete without sufficient hydration."

Common error

Avoid using "is incomplete without" in overly simplistic sentences where a more direct verb would suffice. Instead of saying "My coffee is incomplete without sugar", consider "I need sugar in my coffee" for greater conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is incomplete without" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating a state of lacking an essential component. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as shown in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is incomplete without" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that a certain element is essential for the wholeness of something else. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. For alternative expressions, consider “requires” or "cannot exist without", depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot exist without

Highlights the fundamental dependence of one thing on another.

is essential for

Emphasizes the critical importance of something.

needs

Simple replacement emphasizing a basic requirement.

is nothing without

Strongly conveys the idea that something has no value without another element.

requires

Single-word replacement implying necessity; more concise.

demands

A direct substitution that implies a strong necessity.

is deficient without

Highlights that something lacks a necessary component.

necessitates

More formal synonym that emphasizes the condition making something necessary.

is imperfect without

Focuses on the imperfection resulting from the absence of something.

is lacking if

Focuses on the deficiency created by absence; emphasizes what's missing.

FAQs

How can I use "is incomplete without" in a sentence?

Use "is incomplete without" to show that one thing needs another to be whole or finished. For example, "A cake recipe is incomplete without flour."

What are some alternatives to "is incomplete without"?

You can use alternatives like "requires", "needs", or "cannot exist without" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is complete without" instead of "is incomplete without"?

No, "is complete without" has the opposite meaning. "Is incomplete without" means something is needed, while "is complete without" means something is not needed.

What is the difference between "is essential for" and "is incomplete without"?

"Is essential for" emphasizes the critical importance of something, while "is incomplete without" focuses on the lack of wholeness if something is missing. The phrase "cannot exist without" could be used alternatively.