it remained incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it remained incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has not been finished or is lacking in some way. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, the project remained incomplete due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The six-bedroomed house he lived in was designed to have an in-built bar, huge living room and a big kitchen but it remained incomplete with its ceiling rotten and partially leaking.

BBC

Along the same lines as African Sanctus, David aimed to draw on this material to produce a choral Pacific Odyssey, but it remained incomplete, with just a single movement, Pacific Song, given its first performance in 2007.

The Guardian - Music

Much of their work remained in the realm of experimentation, and much of it remained incomplete.

The New Yorker

Kyle Pomerleau, the Tax Foundation's director of federal projects, said he had hoped to publish an analysis of Mr. Trump's plan on Friday, but it remained incomplete.

The New York Times

It remained incomplete and suspended: a liberation movement not doing much liberating, locked in a fruitless negotiating process, and denied the means of government by a combination of Israeli obduracy and its own inadequacies.

The New Yorker

Financial troubles, and a change in 2008 to a new literary agent, Andrew Wylie, contributed to his controversial decision to publish his father's last, unfinished novel, The Original of Laura, in 2009, despite Vladimir's instruction to burn it if it remained incomplete.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Those who experience a clear inclination but don't pursue or fulfill it remain incomplete and dissatisfied.

HuffPost

Without it, the study remained incomplete, a poor replica.

Huffington Post

Although Croatia was granted international recognition in 1992, the government's control over its own territories remained incomplete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the latter years, the Glasgow Cup sometimes just petered out as disinterest grew and it was either not competed for or remained incomplete.

The Guardian - Sport

The tournament table therefore remained incomplete for a week but it was clear from early on that Ponomariov, Polgar and Topalov were close to the top, Nisipeanu in the middle and the other two in bad shape.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it remained incomplete", ensure that the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Maintaining clarity will improve readability and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it remained incomplete" without adequately explaining the expected scope or criteria for completion. Ensure the audience understands what constitutes a "complete" state in the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it remained incomplete" typically functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state of a subject. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates that something was not brought to a finished or complete state. It's used to convey that a process, task, or project was left in an unfinished state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it remained incomplete" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that was not finished. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing. While "Correct" in terms of grammar, ensure clarity by defining what "it" refers to. Alternative phrases such as "it was left unfinished" or "it was not completed" can be used for variety, depending on the context. Overall, it is a versatile and clear way to indicate the unfinished status of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was left unfinished

Focuses on the action of leaving something unfinished, emphasizing the lack of completion rather than a continuous state.

it stayed unfinished

Emphasizes the duration of the unfinished state.

it wasn't completed

A more direct and simple way of stating that something was not finalized.

it lacked completion

Highlights the absence of completion as a missing element.

it was still in progress

Indicates ongoing work, suggesting the possibility of future completion.

it was yet to be finalized

Emphasizes that final steps were not taken.

it was truncated

Suggests that something was cut short, not fully developed.

it ended prematurely

Conveys that the process concluded before it reached the natural end.

it was deficient

Suggests that something is lacking essential parts making it incomplete.

it suffered from omissions

Focuses more on the parts that are missing.

FAQs

What does "it remained incomplete" mean?

The phrase "it remained incomplete" means that something was not finished or brought to a state of completion. It suggests that there was an intention or expectation for something to be completed, but that goal was not achieved.

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

You can use "it remained incomplete" to describe a project, task, or process that was started but not finished. For example: "Despite our best efforts, "the report remained incomplete" due to lack of data."

What are some alternatives to "it remained incomplete"?

Alternatives include "it was left unfinished", "it was not completed", or "it stayed unfinished". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it remained incomplete" formal or informal?

"It remained incomplete" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it was not finalized" might be preferred in certain professional or academic settings.