job undone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "job undone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task or assignment that has not been completed or finished. Example: "The project deadline is approaching, and I still have a job undone that needs my attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That is why they pulled out with the job undone.

The Economist

But even as a polemicist she has left an important job undone.

The New York Times - Books

And how could I do it for a readership that was probably content to leave the job undone?

The New Yorker

Because he must make the rounds more often now, he must leave some aspect of his job undone every day or hand it to a deputy, Mr. Draper said.

The New York Times

At a recent closed-door briefing for House members on the military buildup, Representative Dana Rohrabacher, Republican of California, accused Secretary of State Colin L. Powell of leaving the job undone at the end of the Persian Gulf war, which Mr. Bush's father halted with the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein still in power.

The New York Times

Her life experiences have left her compassionate and unable to leave a job undone.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And some economists, like Richard Koo, would argue that the similarity here is not due to the fact that both the Bank of Japan and the Fed left their jobs undone, but because both Japan and America are facing a balance sheet recession.

The Economist

Many ME patients are too ill to take part the global day of action, so instead they will leave pairs of shoes in public places as a visual symbol of the millions of lives gone unlived, jobs undone, relationships never formed by people with the disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

Engineers see a job left undone, or in the case of Bach's "St.

The New York Times - Arts

Coach Houston Nutt turned down a chance for a $2 million salary at Nebraska, saying family ties and a job left undone would keep him at Arkansas.

The New York Times - Sports

Bernanke has done more than Geithner did, and took on the economic job left undone by a dysfunctional Congress and a distracted president as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "job undone", consider the context. It often implies a sense of disappointment or a need for further action. Ensure your sentence reflects this nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "job undone" when the task is still actively in progress and the lack of completion is expected at the current time. Instead, reserve it for situations where the task was expected to be finished or has been abandoned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "job undone" typically functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a predicate nominative or object of a preposition. It describes a state of incompletion or a task that has not been successfully finished, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "job undone" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe a task or project that remains incomplete. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, often carrying a connotation of disappointment or the need for further action. While synonyms like "unfinished task" and "incomplete work" exist, "job undone" effectively conveys a sense of something left unresolved. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the context to ensure the implication aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfinished task

Focuses on the task itself being incomplete, rather than the overall concept of a job.

incomplete work

Highlights the lack of completion in the work performed.

task left unfinished

Emphasizes the act of leaving the task without completing it.

work in progress

Indicates that the work is ongoing but not yet finished.

uncompleted assignment

Specifically refers to an assignment that has not been finished.

partially completed task

Indicates some progress has been made, but the task is not fully done.

work pending completion

Highlights that the completion of the work is still waiting to happen.

unfinished business

Suggests a more significant or unresolved matter, often with emotional or strategic implications.

outstanding task

Emphasizes that the task is still waiting to be done.

incomplete project

Specifically refers to a project that is not fully realized or brought to completion.

FAQs

How can I use "job undone" in a sentence?

You can use "job undone" to describe a task that has been left incomplete, implying a sense of incompletion or disappointment. For example, "They pulled out with the "job undone"."

What is a synonym for "job undone"?

Alternatives to "job undone" include "unfinished task", "incomplete work", or "task left unfinished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "job undone" in a formal setting?

Yes, "job undone" can be used in formal settings, especially when discussing projects, strategies, or tasks that were not completed successfully. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and context of the communication.

What is the difference between "job undone" and "work in progress"?

"Job undone" suggests that a task was started but not finished, implying a lack of completion or abandonment. "Work in progress", on the other hand, simply indicates that a task is currently being worked on but is not yet complete; it doesn't necessarily carry a negative connotation.