little finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little finished" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is not fully completed or is in a minor state of completion, but it lacks clarity. Example: "The project is little finished, but we still have some details to work out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Swin Cash led Seattle with 18 points, and Little finished with 8. Betty Lennox had 17 points for Los Angeles.

The New York Times - Sports

Does articulating a thought in public freeze it in place somehow, making it not part of a thought process but rather a tiny little finished sculpture?

The New Yorker

We have little finished footage to go by, but enough to give us pause: an exquisite clip of Rochefort, sitting with a book in the half-darkness, his eyes wet, gleaming, and morose.

The New Yorker

Andrews converted another penalty after Joe Newell fouled Afobe but Little finished from Newell's cross and Zakuani headed in from Tomlin's ball to make it 5-2.

BBC

Does articulating a thought in public freeze it in place somehow, making it not part of a thought process but rather a tiny little finished sculpture?" I wonder much the same thing.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

With closed dies, parts can be made to close tolerances so that little finish machining is required.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jason Dufner said that the 18th at East Lake offered "a neat little finish," though his tone suggested a point of view more from a spectator than a player.

The New York Times - Sports

Leeds caretaker boss Neil Redfearn: "We played some good football, although we lacked a little finish.

BBC

The 22-year-old told BBC London 94.9: "It is just that little bit of quality in the end or that little finish.

BBC

Little was finished.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They paid too much for raw materials, and charged too little for finished goods.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of completion, use more precise and commonly accepted terms like "partially finished" or "nearly complete" to avoid confusion and ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "little finished" when translating from languages where a literal equivalent might exist. Opt for idiomatic English expressions to maintain naturalness and clarity. Consider the context and choose phrases like "slightly completed" or "hardly finished" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little finished" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to modify a noun by indicating a state of partial or minimal completion. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically questionable and not a standard English expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little finished" is not considered grammatically sound in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect construction. While it appears in some contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, it is generally advisable to use more precise and common alternatives such as "partially finished", "slightly completed", or "nearly done" to ensure clarity and correctness. Using these alternatives can help avoid confusion and maintain a professional tone, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially completed

Emphasizes the incomplete nature of the subject.

minimally finished

Highlights the limited touch put on the finishing stage.

slightly completed

Focuses on the small degree of completion, emphasizing a minor advancement.

barely finished

Highlights the minimal effort to the completion of something.

hardly completed

Underlines the insignificance of something finishing.

almost complete

Focuses on near completion.

slightly embellished

Suggests a delicate, final enhancement.

nearly done

Suggests an imminent completion.

just about finished

Indicates that something is on the verge of completion, implying only minimal work remains.

lightly touched up

Implies a small amount of work done for the final stage.

FAQs

How can I express the idea of something being almost finished without using "little finished"?

You can use phrases such as "almost complete", "nearly done", or "on the verge of completion" to convey that something is close to being finished.

Is "little finished" grammatically correct in English?

No, "little finished" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "partially finished" or "slightly completed".

What's the difference between "little finished" and "partially finished"?

"Little finished" is not a standard English phrase and may sound awkward or incorrect. "Partially finished" is grammatically sound and clearly conveys that something is not fully completed.

Can I use "little finished" in formal writing?

It's not advisable to use "little finished" in formal writing. Opt for more formal and precise alternatives such as "substantially complete" or "virtually complete" depending on the degree of completion.