it is fragmentary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is fragmentary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is incomplete or consists of disconnected parts, often in the context of information, data, or narratives. Example: "The report was not very helpful because it is fragmentary and lacks a cohesive argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The last book was apparently more theoretical, but in the surviving manuscript it is fragmentary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That it is fragmentary only makes the pieces we have seem more valuable.

Independent

"Of course it is fragmentary, jagged-edged, with violent swerves in scale and tone.

The Guardian

It must be said that even if the CGA scale is a useful tool, several authors have described some limitations (Carreca et al, 2005): it is not standardised, it is time consuming and it is fragmentary, thereby impeding a correct global assessment of the patient.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"It's fragmentary and grotesque.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps because it's fragmentary, a fever dream of super-saturation cut with voice over from Godard's dog.

The Guardian - Film

"Beau Travail" didn't have much dialogue, either, and what there was of it was fragmentary and unconvincing.

The New Yorker

It was fragmentary, with a heavy accent, and the stroke Mr. Paik suffered six years ago has made him even more difficult to understand.

The New York Times

It's fragmentary: sometimes arresting and individual; sometimes leaden, with the dull repetitiveness of the person who has lost her energy; and it's sometimes apocalyptic.

The Guardian

Dr. Niman says the authors of the Emerging Infectious Diseases article were too conservative: even though the dates in it were fragmentary, it was possible to infer that in about 10 of the 15 cases, there was a gap in onset dates of at least five days, which would fit with the flu's incubation time of two to five days.

The New York Times

Although knowledge of these laws is fragmentary, it does not appear that Demetrius legislated anything on the subject of epikleroi.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is fragmentary", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Be specific about the nature of the incompleteness or fragmentation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "it is fragmentary" automatically implies a negative connotation. While often used to describe incomplete or flawed information, fragmentation can also be a stylistic choice in art or literature to convey a specific effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is fragmentary" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of being incomplete or existing in fragments to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct. The provided examples show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is fragmentary" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that is incomplete or exists in fragments. While relatively rare in occurrence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. The phrase serves to convey a sense of incompleteness or lack of cohesion and may imply a limitation in understanding the subject. Consider alternative phrases like "it is incomplete" or "it is disjointed" for nuanced expressions of incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is incomplete

This alternative emphasizes the lack of completion, focusing on the absence of necessary parts to make something whole.

it is disjointed

This alternative highlights the lack of connection or coherence between parts, emphasizing the separation of elements.

it is fragmented

This alternative suggests that something is broken into many small pieces, similar to "fragmentary" but with a stronger implication of breakage.

it is segmented

This alternative suggests division into distinct parts or sections, implying a lack of seamless integration.

it is patchy

This alternative suggests that something is uneven or inconsistent, with some parts being more complete or developed than others.

it is sporadic

This alternative conveys that something occurs irregularly or intermittently, lacking continuous presence or information.

it is disconnected

This alternative indicates a lack of connection or logical sequence, emphasizing the absence of a clear relationship between elements.

it is scattered

This alternative suggests that elements are dispersed or spread out, lacking a central organization or focus.

it is piecemeal

This alternative suggests that something is done or presented in stages or small portions, lacking a comprehensive approach.

it is in bits and pieces

This alternative vividly conveys the idea that something exists only in small, disconnected parts, lacking a unified whole.

FAQs

How can I use "it is fragmentary" in a sentence?

Use "it is fragmentary" to describe something that is incomplete, consisting of broken or disconnected parts. For example, "The archaeological record "it is fragmentary", making definitive conclusions difficult."

What is a good alternative to "it is fragmentary"?

Alternatives include "it is incomplete", "it is disjointed", or "it is fragmented", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of incompleteness.

When is it appropriate to use "it is fragmentary"?

Use "it is fragmentary" when you want to emphasize that something exists only in pieces or parts, lacking a cohesive or complete form. This is often applicable to historical records, memories, or artistic expressions.

What does "it is fragmentary" imply about the subject?

Using "it is fragmentary" suggests that the subject lacks wholeness or integrity, potentially due to damage, loss, or incomplete construction. It implies that understanding the whole requires assembling or interpreting the available pieces.