not there yet

USAGE SUMMARY

'not there yet' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has not been achieved or is still in progress. For example, "We have been working hard to improve our product, but we are not there yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're not there yet.

The New York Times

We're not there yet.

The New York Times

Not there yet.

The New York Times

"He's not there yet.

The New Yorker

I'm not there yet.

The New York Times

He is not there yet.

The New York Times - Sports

Their head's not there yet".

The New Yorker

"I'm just not there yet".

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately, we're not there yet.

The New Yorker

Tablets are not there yet.

The New York Times

But they're not there yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not there yet" to manage expectations when discussing progress on a project, indicating that while advancements have been made, the final goal hasn't been achieved.

Common error

While "not there yet" is acceptable in many situations, avoid relying on it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey the specific shortcomings or areas needing improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not there yet" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that a particular state or condition has not been reached. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it clarifies the current status of progress or achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not there yet" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that a goal or desired outcome has not been fully achieved. As Ludwig confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, sports, and business. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication settings. While highly versatile, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal academic writing. Alternatives such as "still in progress" and "under development" can provide similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still in progress

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the activity, highlighting that it's not complete.

not quite ready

Emphasizes the lack of preparedness or completion, suggesting a need for further refinement.

work in progress

Directly states that the subject is currently being developed or improved.

under development

Similar to 'work in progress' but often used in more formal or technical contexts.

not fully developed

Highlights the incomplete state of something, suggesting it needs more time or resources to mature.

a ways to go

Indicates that there is a significant distance or amount of work remaining.

short of the mark

Suggests that the subject has not yet reached the required standard or level.

not up to par

Similar to 'short of the mark' but often used in comparisons or evaluations.

more to be done

Emphasizes the need for further action or effort to achieve the desired outcome.

not at the finish line

Uses a metaphorical image to convey that the goal has not yet been reached.

FAQs

How can I use "not there yet" in a sentence?

You can use "not there yet" to indicate that something is still in progress or has not reached its final form. For example, "The product is promising, but it's "not there yet"." Or, "Our sales figures have improved, but we're "not there yet" in terms of profitability."

What are some alternatives to saying "not there yet"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "still in progress", "under development", or "not quite ready" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not there yet"?

Yes, "not there yet" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase in English. It serves as an informal idiom to express that a goal or desired state has not been fully achieved.

What's the difference between "not there yet" and "almost there"?

"Not there yet" indicates that a significant amount of work remains, while "almost there" suggests that the goal is very close to being achieved. The former implies more distance to cover than the latter.