not finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not finished' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that an event, task, or other activity is ongoing or incomplete. For example: "The project is not finished yet. We still need to polish the presentation before the big meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not finished yet".

The New York Times

"But we're not finished".

The New York Times - Sports

Alderson was not finished.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not finished.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not finished.

The New York Times

Dickinson was not finished.

The New Yorker

"And we're not finished".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not finished yet.

The New York Times - Sports

The basement is not finished.

The New York Times

But Tannenbaum was not finished.

The New York Times - Sports

The fight is not finished".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that a task is not yet complete, use "not finished" to maintain a clear and straightforward tone.

Common error

Avoid using "not finished" when a more specific description of the task's current state would be more informative, such as "awaiting approval" or "pending review".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not finished" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that it is in an incomplete state. As Ludwig AI pointed out, its grammatical correctness means it fits well in many sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not finished" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that something is incomplete or still in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and everyday conversations. To enhance clarity, consider using more specific alternatives like "still in progress" or "awaiting approval" when applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work in progress

Highlights the ongoing effort and development involved.

still in progress

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of something; focuses on the action of progressing.

not yet finalized

Specifically points out that the final touches or decisions haven't been made.

yet to be completed

Highlights that something remains to be done before completion.

still underway

Focuses on the continuation of an event or project.

incomplete

Directly states that something is lacking full completion.

ongoing

Simply indicates that something is continuing without a specific endpoint mentioned.

under construction

Suggests active work is happening; typically used for physical projects.

in the works

Informal way to say something is being planned or created.

remains to be seen

Implies uncertainty about the final outcome or completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "not finished" to indicate that something is still in progress or incomplete. For example, "The report is "not finished" yet; I need another day to review it."

What are some alternatives to "not finished"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "still in progress", "yet to be completed", or "incomplete" as alternatives to "not finished".

Is it appropriate to use "not finished" in formal writing?

Yes, "not finished" is generally acceptable in formal writing, though more specific language might sometimes be preferable for clarity. For example, "awaiting approval" is more specific.

What's the difference between "not finished" and "unfinished"?

"Not finished" implies an ongoing process, while "unfinished" suggests something was started but may or may not be continuing. The nuance depends on context.