it was unfinished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was unfinished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has not been completed or is lacking final touches. Example: "The project was submitted, but it was unfinished, leaving several key elements unaddressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It was unfinished, and perhaps unfinishable: that is the conclusion, at least, to be drawn from "Henri-Georges Clouzot's Inferno, " a new documentary directed by Serge Bromberg and Ruxandra Medrea.

The New Yorker

It was unfinished business.

The New York Times

For Vang Pao, it was unfinished business.

The Economist

Therefore, it was unfinished business.

The Guardian - Music

The house was a new construction, but it was unfinished.

The New Yorker

It was unfinished when he died in 1953.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Gardner himself is a 51-year-old real estate man in Rolling Hills Estates who says that music is "something I've done all my life". He composed a symphony at the age of 12-- It was unfinished, and for good reason"--and wrote and directed a musical while in high school.

Los Angeles Times

Ras Vehera is a 40ft-high standing Buddha, much less well known than its slightly taller cousin Aukana, probably because it is unfinished.

The Guardian - Travel

It's unfinished, but that's integral to its poetry: no one understood the suggestiveness of the incomplete as profoundly as Michelangelo.

The Guardian - Arts

But with the internet, it's unfinished.

University of California, Berkeley

"It is unfinished business," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was unfinished", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the subject of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was unfinished" when you mean "it is ongoing". The former implies a state of abandonment or interruption, while the latter suggests active progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was unfinished" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates that a particular subject, denoted by "it", existed in a state of incompleteness at some point. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was unfinished" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that was not completed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discussions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what "it" refers to and avoid confusing it with "it is ongoing". Alternatives like "it remained incomplete" or "it was left undone" can offer nuanced expressions of incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained incomplete

Emphasizes the continuing state of being not finished.

it was uncompleted

Direct synonym highlighting the absence of completion.

it was left undone

Focuses on the action not performed or completed.

it was still in progress

Indicates that the subject is currently being worked on.

it was only partially done

Highlights that some work was completed but not all.

it was not finalized

Emphasizes the lack of an official or definitive conclusion.

it lacked completion

Highlights the absence of the finishing touches.

it was in an embryonic state

Suggests the subject was in a very early stage of development.

it was cut short

Implies an abrupt interruption prevented completion.

it was never brought to fruition

Emphasizes the failure to fully realize or complete the subject.

FAQs

What does "it was unfinished" mean?

The phrase "it was unfinished" means that something was started but not brought to completion. It suggests a state of incompleteness, where the final steps or touches were not executed.

What can I say instead of "it was unfinished"?

You can use alternatives like "it remained incomplete", "it was uncompleted", or "it was left undone" depending on the context.

How to use "it was unfinished" in a sentence?

You can use "it was unfinished" to describe a task, project, or piece of work that has not been completed. For example: "The painting was beautiful, but it was unfinished."

Which is correct, "it was unfinished" or "it is unfinished"?

Both phrases are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "It was unfinished" refers to something that was not completed in the past, while "it is unfinished" refers to something that is currently not completed.