not entirely neat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not entirely neat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is somewhat messy or disorganized, but not completely so. Example: "The presentation was informative, but the slides were not entirely neat, making it hard to follow at times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was not entirely new.

The Economist

Importantly for a company whose core users are in the enterprise, the phones feature a neat, if not entirely novel, way to swipe between work mode and personal mode.

MIT Technology Review

There are some pretty decent laughs and neat – if not entirely original – observations about suburban Britain.

Vice

Whether they're the same flowers as she's clutching while she waits in her neat two-piece is not entirely clear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not entirely.

The New York Times

Barely, but not entirely.

The New York Times

Not entirely freely.

The New York Times

Not entirely true.

The New York Times

Almost, but not entirely.

The Economist

Though not entirely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Well, not entirely alone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not entirely neat" to describe situations where something is mostly, but not completely, organized or tidy. It implies a degree of imperfection that is noticeable but not overwhelming.

Common error

Avoid using "not entirely neat" when the situation is extremely chaotic or disorganized. In such cases, stronger terms like "messy" or "disorganized" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not entirely neat" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or situation to indicate that it is mostly, but not fully, organized or tidy. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not entirely neat" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is mostly, but not completely, organized or tidy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, it finds its place in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and business communication. It allows for a balanced assessment, acknowledging both order and imperfection. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of disorder is accurately represented, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives include "not perfectly organized" and "somewhat disorganised", depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not completely orderly

Directly states the lack of complete order.

not perfectly organized

Emphasizes the absence of flawless organization.

somewhat disorganised

Replaces "neat" with its opposite, conveying a degree of untidiness but not complete chaos.

partially tidy

Highlights the presence of some order, suggesting incompleteness.

slightly disarrayed

Indicates a mild state of disorder or lack of arrangement.

imperfectly arranged

Focuses on the flawed arrangement of items.

a bit messy

Uses more casual language to express a slight lack of order.

a little unkempt

Suggests a lack of polish or care in appearance or arrangement.

less than immaculate

Uses a stronger term ('immaculate') to highlight the imperfection.

not altogether shipshape

Employs an idiomatic expression to convey a lack of perfect order.

FAQs

How can I use "not entirely neat" in a sentence?

You can use "not entirely neat" to describe something that is mostly organized but has some minor imperfections. For example, "The presentation was informative, but the slides were "not entirely neat", making it hard to follow at times."

What's a more formal alternative to "not entirely neat"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "not perfectly organized" or "imperfectly arranged".

Is it correct to say "not entirely neat", or should I use "not completely neat"?

Both "not entirely neat" and "not completely neat" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "not entirely neat" and "a bit messy"?

"Not entirely neat" is slightly more formal and suggests a greater degree of organization than "a bit messy", which implies a more casual and noticeable lack of order.