not really done

USAGE SUMMARY

"not really done" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is only partly done, or not done in the best possible way. For example, "I hurried through my project but it's not really done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

'The Wire' has not really done that.

The New Yorker

"I've not really done much like this.

The Guardian

But then again, I've not really done much comparison.

The Guardian - Music

"I've not really done a huge amount of knocking about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In my mind, I'm not really done playing," Henderson said.

The New York Times

I'd say that's appropriate if you've not really done anything wrong.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Obama does not really do angry.

The New York Times

Mr. Previn did not really do either.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm not really doing anything else.

Independent

They're not really doing the work.

The Guardian

Not really doing anything.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not really done" to convey a sense of partial completion or to downplay the extent of work finished. It's suitable when something is technically complete but lacks refinement.

Common error

Avoid using "not really done" when the task is significantly incomplete. This can mislead your audience and diminish the perceived effort invested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not really done" functions as a qualifier, expressing a degree of incompletion or reservation about the finished state of something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests that while an action may be technically over, it lacks finality or thoroughness. This is evident in many examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not really done" serves as a qualifier that an action may be technically complete, but it does not meet expectations or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While considered to be of neutral register, the phrase is found predominantly in News & Media sources and more rarely in Formal and Business contexts. Alternatives such as "not quite finished", and "partially completed" can provide similar nuances. When using "not really done", be mindful of the level of incompletion to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite finished

Emphasizes that the task or activity is close to completion but still requires some finishing touches.

partially completed

Highlights that only a portion of the task has been executed, leaving the remainder undone.

still in progress

Indicates that the activity is ongoing and has not yet reached its conclusion.

not fully executed

Focuses on the lack of complete implementation or performance of a particular action.

incompletely performed

Stresses that the action was carried out but lacked thoroughness or attention to detail.

left undone

Highlights that some part of the task or activity has been entirely omitted or neglected.

unfinished business

Implies that there are outstanding tasks or issues that need to be addressed to achieve closure.

left hanging

Suggests that the task or activity is incomplete and may be causing uncertainty or anxiety.

merely started

Indicates that the task or activity is only at its initial stage and requires significant further effort.

just begun

Similar to 'merely started', it highlights that the task is in its earliest phase and far from completion.

FAQs

What does "not really done" mean?

The phrase "not really done" indicates that something is partially completed or not fully executed. It implies that while some progress has been made, the task requires further attention or refinement.

How can I use "not really done" in a sentence?

You can use "not really done" to express that a task is technically complete but lacks thoroughness. For example, "I finished the report, but it's "not really done" because I need to proofread it".

What are some alternatives to "not really done"?

Alternatives include phrases like "not quite finished", "partially completed", or "still in progress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "not really done" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not really done" leans towards informal usage. In formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "incompletely performed" or "not fully executed" to maintain a professional tone.