Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is substantially done
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is substantially done" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a task or project is mostly completed, with only minor details remaining. Example: "The report is substantially done, and I just need to add a few final touches before submission."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
The job the British were asked to do in southern Iraq was substantially done by the time we left in 2009.
News & Media
But Mr. Faulkner says the current generation of thermal paper is not as glossy as the older type, is substantially thicker, doesn't curl and will go five years without fading.
News & Media
Even though the activity of Nv-laforin is substantially decreased, it does exhibit phosphatase activity and therefore it is a phosphatase.
Science
From the point of view of bank employees with a discrimination complaint, the situation is substantially worsened because they do not have recourse to national laws and must rely on the World Bank administrative tribunal (Wat); the tribunal almost never finds for the complainant.
News & Media
The main reason why the other 399, who were substantially younger, did not participate was loss of contact because they were employed outside Anyang.
Science
He said, "nothing much seems to happen, and what does occur is substantially driven by coincidence and arbitrariness".
Wiki
The immune system of plants is substantially different from animals and does not involve macrophage-mediated cell clearing.
Science
11 According to this registry, the outcome is substantially better when liver transplantation is done early on in the course of the disease, for example in patients with a good body mass index and short time of symptoms.
This differential treatment is substantially larger for males and it does not disappear when information about the socioeconomic status of the candidate is revealed.
Science
Spontaneous loss of ESBL-positive colonizers does occur, but is substantially delayed in case of repeated hospitalizations and antibiotic therapies [ 5].
Science
In an otherwise powerful opinion, joined by the Court's two other female Justices, Justice Sotomayor wrote that while she does "not doubt that Wheaton genuinely believes that signing the self-certification form is contrary to its religious beliefs,... thinking one's religious beliefs are substantially burdened... does not make it so".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "is substantially done" when you want to convey that a task is mostly complete, but some details or minor adjustments might still be pending. For a more concise alternative, consider "is nearly complete".
Common error
Avoid using "substantially" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your sentences sound verbose. Consider using simpler and more direct alternatives like "mostly", "largely", or "almost" when appropriate.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is substantially done" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating the state of something being mostly completed. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct phrase that denotes a high degree of completion.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is substantially done" is a grammatically sound way to express that a task or project is largely complete, though not entirely finalized. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively formal, it is suitable for professional and news-related contexts, but simpler alternatives like "is nearly complete" might be preferred in casual settings. Remember to avoid overuse of "substantially" for clearer writing. The phrase's primary function is to communicate the degree of progress. While less common than other alternatives, it remains a valid and precise way to describe near completion.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is virtually complete
This alternative implies near-total completion, very close in meaning to the original phrase.
is essentially finished
Indicates that the main part of the work is over, with only minor things left to be addressed.
is largely completed
Suggests that most of the task is finished, focusing on the major components.
is almost finalized
This implies the process is nearing its end, with final approval or steps remaining.
is nearing completion
Highlights the progressive approach towards being fully completed.
is nearing its end
Focuses on the timeline rather than the specific amount of work left to do.
is practically over
Indicates a very high degree of completion, focusing on time/effort spent to the end.
is coming to a close
A more figurative way to express near completion.
is on the verge of completion
Emphasizes how close something is to being finished, often with a sense of anticipation.
is approaching fulfillment
Emphasizes the satisfactory or conclusive nature of the accomplishment.
FAQs
What does "is substantially done" mean?
The phrase "is substantially done" means that something is largely completed, with only minor tasks or details remaining to be finished. It implies a high degree of completion but acknowledges that the work is not yet entirely finalized.
Are there simpler alternatives to "is substantially done"?
Yes, you can use phrases like "is virtually complete", "is largely completed", or "is almost finished" for a more concise expression with a similar meaning.
How formal is the phrase "is substantially done"?
The phrase "is substantially done" is relatively formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "mostly done" or "nearly finished".
Is it correct to say "is substantially completed"?
While grammatically correct, "is substantially completed" can be redundant since "completed" already implies a high degree of finalization. "is substantially done" is generally preferred.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested