not completed

USAGE SUMMARY

"not completed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a task or goal that has not been fully accomplished or concluded. For example: "The paperwork for the project was not completed, so there are a few steps left before it can be finalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Building not completed.

The New Yorker

They're not completed yet.

The Guardian - Sport

The contract was not completed.

The New York Times

But it was not completed.

The New York Times - Sports

EchoStar has still not completed its financing.

The Economist

"So far the deactivation is not completed.

The New York Times

"The plot itself was not completed".

The New York Times

Meanwhile Chinese Democracy is still not completed.

The Guardian - Music

The panel has not completed its work.

The New York Times

"It's still not completed," she said.

The Guardian

The carving was not completed until 1970.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not completed", clarify the reason if possible. Providing context about why something isn't finished adds valuable information for your reader.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on passive constructions with "not completed". Instead, consider rewriting sentences to highlight the actor or cause, such as "They did not complete the task" instead of "The task was not completed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not completed" primarily functions as a descriptive element indicating the state of something that has not reached its final or intended stage. Ludwig confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not completed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is often used across diverse contexts, but is especially common in news, media and science. Its primary function is to indicate that a task, process, or project is still unfinished, emphasizing the state of incompleteness. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, clarity can be enhanced by specifying the reason behind the lack of completion. Consider alternatives like "unfinished" or "in progress" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfinished

A more concise, single-word alternative implying the task remains outstanding.

not finalized

Suggests a process that requires official approval or confirmation, and which has not yet received it.

unfulfilled

Implies a lack of satisfaction or reaching a desired outcome, not just a lack of completion.

outstanding

Suggests that the task needs to be addressed because it is still not resolved.

in progress

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the task, rather than the lack of completion.

still pending

Indicates the item is awaiting a decision or action to be taken.

not ready

Indicates a lack of preparedness or suitability for use or presentation.

remaining open

Suitable when referring to issues or questions that have not been resolved.

under construction

Commonly refers to physical structures or systems that are currently being built or developed.

left undone

Emphasizes neglect or omission in completing the task.

FAQs

How can I use "not completed" in a sentence?

You can use "not completed" to indicate that a task, process, or project is still in progress or has not reached its final stage. For example: "The project is "still pending" because the report was "not completed".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "not completed"?

Alternatives include "unfinished", "in progress", "not finalized", or "still pending", depending on the context.

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

Both "not completed" and "incomplete" can be used to describe something that is not finished. "Incomplete" is a single word and might be preferred for brevity, while "not completed" might be used to emphasize the action of completing something versus its state.

What does it mean when something is "not completed"?

When something is "not completed", it means that it has "left undone", is "still pending", has not reached its final stage or is "in progress". The process might be ongoing, or it might be halted for some reason. The context typically clarifies the reason or the implications of the lack of completion.