it lacked completion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it lacked completion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unfinished or not fully developed, such as a project, idea, or piece of writing. Example: "The report was submitted, but it lacked completion, leaving several key sections unaddressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It lacked stability".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Again, it lacked something.

The New York Times

It lacked a Nelson Mandela.

The New Yorker

All it lacked was jobs.

The New Yorker

It lacked pulse and energy.

The New York Times

It lacked only a show.

The New Yorker

It lacks dates.

The Economist

What's it lacking?

The New York Times - Tech

It lacks the means.

The Economist

It lacks flexibility.

The Economist

It lacks irony.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it lacked completion", clarify which specific aspects were missing or unfinished to provide a clearer understanding of the deficiency. For instance, instead of saying "The project lacked completion", specify, "The project lacked completion of the final testing phase".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it lacked completion" can sound somewhat awkward in formal writing. Opt for more concise and direct alternatives like "it was incomplete" or "it was unfinished" for improved clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it lacked completion" functions as a clause element, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence or clause. It asserts that a particular subject did not achieve a state of being finished or whole, aligning with Ludwig's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it lacked completion" is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's infrequently used and lacks specific context examples. This suggests that more direct alternatives, like "it was incomplete", are often preferred. The phrase's purpose is to indicate a deficiency in finishing something, and it falls within a neutral to professional register. When using the phrase, ensure you clarify which aspect specifically was lacking to provide a more impactful statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was incomplete

This alternative directly states the absence of completion, focusing on the unfinished state.

it was unfinished

Similar to "it was incomplete", this highlights the state of being not finalized.

it was deficient

This alternative emphasizes the lack of necessary elements for completeness.

it was wanting

Suggests a lack or deficiency, particularly in something essential.

it fell short

Indicates that something failed to reach the required level of completeness or quality.

it was imperfect

Focuses on the presence of flaws or missing elements that prevent completion.

it was rudimentary

Highlights the basic and underdeveloped nature of something, implying a lack of completion.

it was sketchy

Suggests incompleteness and a lack of detail or thoroughness.

it was embryonic

Implies an early stage of development, far from completion.

it was preliminary

Suggests an initial stage, with much work remaining to achieve completion.

FAQs

How can I use "it lacked completion" in a sentence?

You can use "it lacked completion" to describe something that wasn't fully finished or didn't have all the necessary parts. For instance: "The report was submitted, but "it lacked completion", leaving several key sections unaddressed."

What can I say instead of "it lacked completion"?

You can use alternatives like "it was incomplete", "it was unfinished", or "it fell short" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it lacked completion" or "it was completed"?

"It lacked completion" means something was not finished. "It was completed" means something was finished. They have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "it lacked completion" and "it had no completion"?

"It lacked completion" implies a degree of progress was made, but the process wasn't fully finalized. "It had no completion" suggests the process never reached a final stage at all. "It lacked completion" focuses on missing elements, while "it had no completion" focuses on a complete absence of finalization.