it is incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is incomplete' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has not been finished, for example, "This data set is incomplete; some of the rows are missing information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is incomplete, its beginning and ending both lost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Confrontation is inevitably a component of progress but as a strategy in its own right, it is incomplete.

The Guardian

Indeed, its section on premature obituaries accepts it is incomplete and appeals for more, well-sourced, entries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour has its offer for the age of insecurity, but it is incomplete and partial.

The Guardian - Opinion

True, it is incomplete.

The New York Times

It is incomplete at best.

The New York Times

It is incomplete in many respects, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Partly, that's because it is incomplete.

The New Yorker

It is dangerous because it is incomplete.

The Washington Post

Illusion affects us only when it is incomplete.

The New Yorker

This is not false, exactly, but it is incomplete.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is incomplete", clearly specify what is lacking or what aspects are missing to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example: "The report is incomplete; it lacks data from the third quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "it is incomplete" without specifying the missing elements or areas of deficiency. Vague statements can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is incomplete" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The word "incomplete" modifies "it", indicating a lack of completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is incomplete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote that something is unfinished or lacking crucial elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify what exactly is missing. While alternatives such as "it is fragmentary" or "it is partial" offer similar meanings, "it is incomplete" is a direct and versatile way to convey the idea of something not being whole.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unfinished

Directly states that something has not been brought to completion, leaving it in a state of being worked on.

it is fragmentary

Replaces "incomplete" with "fragmentary", emphasizing the broken or disjointed nature of something.

it is patchy

Suggests that something is uneven or inconsistent, lacking uniformity in its coverage or quality.

it is inconclusive

Indicates that something does not provide a clear or definitive result, leaving uncertainty.

it is unsatisfactory

Highlights that something fails to meet expectations or requirements, implying a deficiency in quality or completeness.

it is insufficient

Emphasizes the lack of enough of something, suggesting that it falls short of what is needed.

it is imperfect

Indicates that something has flaws or shortcomings, not reaching a state of flawlessness.

it is inadequate

Suggests that something is not good enough or suitable for a particular purpose, implying a lack of capability.

it is partial

Indicates that something represents only a portion of the whole, lacking a complete view or understanding.

it is sketchy

Suggests that something is lacking in detail or precision, providing only a rough or incomplete outline.

FAQs

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

The phrase "it is incomplete" is used to describe something that is not finished or lacks essential parts. For example, "The study "it is incomplete" because it doesn't include data from all participants."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is incomplete"?

You can use phrases like "it is partial", "it is fragmentary", or "it is unfinished" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is incomplete"?

Yes, "it is incomplete" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-predicate adjective structure.

What's the difference between "it is incomplete" and "it is complete"?

"It is incomplete" means something is lacking or unfinished, while "it is complete" means something is finished and has all necessary parts.