nowhere near complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nowhere near complete" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe that something is far from being finished or done. For example: "This project is nowhere near complete - we still have a lot of work to do!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And the renovation was nowhere near complete.

The New York Times

The job is "nowhere near complete".

The Guardian

But the conversion to condominiums was nowhere near complete; the units wouldn't be ready for months.

The New York Times

The project — which is nowhere near complete — had already cost  $5.7 billion as of March 2010.

The New York Times

The country has handed its northern neighbours a lesson in non-partisan governance.Mr Peña's job is nowhere near complete, however.

The Economist

The Republican Party is in the midst of that kind of change; the transition is nowhere near complete.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"We have started, but are nowhere near completing entering the large majority of those caves," General Rosa said.

The New York Times

A series of tunnels and vaults deep in the northern forests, Onkalo, nowhere near completed, is a remarkable feat of engineering and also a daunting philosophical problem.

The New York Times

The problem of how — or whether — to enshrine memory is especially clear at ground zero, where after almost a decade the official memorial is nowhere near completed and the feelings of many New Yorkers are nowhere near resolved.

The New York Times

Even if you're nowhere near completing the project, you'll need to sign up in order to test your code on an actual iPhone rather than an onscreen emulator.

The Guardian - Tech

It's an ambitious program and one that scientists are nowhere near completing.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nowhere near complete" to clearly communicate that a task, project, or process is far from its final stage. It's effective when you want to manage expectations or highlight the amount of work remaining.

Common error

Avoid using "nowhere near complete" when only minor adjustments are needed. This phrase implies a significant amount of unfinished work, so reserve it for situations where substantial progress is still required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nowhere near complete" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, serving to emphasize the degree to which something is lacking or unfinished. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage to describe projects, tasks, or processes that are significantly far from their final state. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nowhere near complete" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is far from finished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English and primarily used to emphasize a lack of progress. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in describing projects, reforms, and states of development. The most frequent contexts are News & Media, with Science and Formal & Business also represented. When using this phrase, remember it is best suited for situations where a significant amount of work remains. Alternatives like "far from complete" or "a long way from finished" can provide similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far from complete

Emphasizes the distance from being finished; a more direct synonym.

far from being done

Similar to "far from complete" but uses the verb "done".

not close to being finished

More explicit about the lack of progress toward completion.

a long way from finished

Highlights the considerable distance remaining until completion.

incomplete by a wide margin

Stresses the significant degree of incompletion.

remains largely undone

Highlights the lack of action and completion.

substantially unfinished

Focuses on the material amount of work that remains.

still in its early stages

Indicates that the process is just beginning and far from over.

barely started

Emphasizes the minimal progress made.

a work in progress

Indicates an ongoing state of development; less negative than "nowhere near complete".

FAQs

How can I use "nowhere near complete" in a sentence?

You can use "nowhere near complete" to describe something that is far from being finished. For example, "The renovation of the house is "nowhere near complete"; we still have months of work ahead of us."

What are some alternatives to "nowhere near complete"?

Alternatives include "far from complete", "a long way from finished", or "not close to being finished". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "nowhere near complete"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Nowhere near" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the lack of completion.

What's the difference between "nowhere near complete" and "incomplete"?

"Incomplete" simply means not finished. "Nowhere near complete" emphasizes that the subject is very far from being finished, suggesting a significant amount of work remains.