left incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been finished or is missing parts, often in the context of a sentence, task, or project. Example: "The report was left incomplete, and we need to gather more data before finalizing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But their quest was left incomplete.

The New York Times - Sports

This was Bach's last work, left incomplete.

The New York Times - Arts

For example, patient reports are routinely left incomplete.

Harvard Business Review

He thought his senior football season would be left incomplete.

The New York Times - Sports

Ten years of office work, of literary projects left incomplete, finally took their toll.

The New Yorker

After intermission Mr. Davis turned to Mozart's Requiem, left incomplete at his death.

The New York Times - Arts

The denouement is left incomplete so that this story can be revisited.

The New York Times - Books

His mature operas include La Bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), and Turandot, left incomplete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This momentary reprieve becomes indefinite because always there is another story left incomplete at dawn.

The New York Times - Books

It's a novel that was left incomplete when Carpenter died, in 1995, at the age of sixty-four.

The New Yorker

The Schoenberg opera, left incomplete by the composer in 1932, uses the composer's own libretto, based on the Bible.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or task, ensure clarity on what specific aspects were "left incomplete". Be precise rather than general to provide a better understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences using "left incomplete". Instead of saying, "The report was left incomplete by the team", a more direct and active voice would be, "The team did not complete the report". This improves clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left incomplete" functions as a verb phrase complement, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of something that was started but not finished. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left incomplete" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to describe something that has not been fully completed. As Ludwig AI has shown, it is commonly used across diverse contexts, from news reporting to academic writing, with a neutral tone that makes it suitable for broad application. While often used passively, it's important to consider a direct voice to improve clarity, and while similar to phrases such as "unfinished" or "uncompleted", "left incomplete" often carries an implication of interruption or abandonment. Understanding these nuances allows for effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncompleted

A more formal synonym, directly stating the lack of completion.

lacking completion

Directly points out the absence of completion.

remaining unfinished

Focuses on the state of being unfinished without direct implication of abandonment.

unfinished state

Focuses on the condition or status of being unfinished.

not finalized

Emphasizes the lack of final approval or completion.

partially done

Highlights that some work has been done, but not all.

unfulfilled

Implies a lack of meeting requirements or expectations for completion.

abandoned midway

Suggests an intention to finish that was interrupted.

cut short

Indicates an abrupt ending that prevented completion.

still in progress

Implies an ongoing effort, though currently unfinished.

FAQs

How can I use "left incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "left incomplete" to describe something that was not finished or completed. For example, "The project was "left incomplete" due to lack of funding" or "The artist's final painting was "left incomplete" at the time of his death".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "left incomplete"?

Some alternatives to "left incomplete" include "unfinished", "uncompleted", "partially done", or "remaining unfinished". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "left incomplete" or "was not completed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Left incomplete" often implies a sense of abandonment or interruption, while "was not completed" is a more neutral statement about the lack of completion. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you intend to convey.

What is the difference between "left incomplete" and "left unfinished"?

"Left incomplete" and "left unfinished" are very similar, but "left incomplete" suggests that specific parts or aspects are missing, whereas "left unfinished" suggests the entire task or project never reached conclusion. In many contexts, they are interchangeable.