only half finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only half finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is incomplete or not fully done. Example: "The project is only half finished, and we still have a lot of work to do before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In their eyes, the battle is only half finished.

The Economist

Though the project is only half finished, Mr. White already deems it a success.

The New York Times

It also felt only half finished, as if awaiting further instructions.

The New York Times - Arts

Nicolas came to me and said that he was "done" writing, but his journal page looked only half finished.

Yale University

But after two years he'd spent twice that much, his partners had pulled out, and the bar was only half finished.

The New Yorker

It ends as suddenly as it begins, but there is no applause because the orchestra is only half finished — its members sit without playing or even moving, "performing" silence for just as long.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

17 and 10 for Ellis Fredrick, who missed on his only attempt in the first half, finished with 18 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Berry, after getting into foul trouble and scoring only two points in the first half, finished with 16.

Los Angeles Times

By March 8, three days before the episode premiered, the script was only half-finished and the animation was not yet complete, in keeping with the practice of show creators Parker and Matt Stone to finish episodes upon last-minute deadlines; Stone said of the practice, "We don't do a live show, but we kind of harness some of that energy.

Wikipedia

This job was only half-finished last year.

The New York Times - Sports

But the late paintings are only half-finished.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only half finished", ensure the context clearly indicates what the "half" refers to. For example, "The renovation is "only half finished" and requires additional funding to complete."

Common error

Avoid using "only half finished" when the degree of completion is significantly more or less than 50%. Using more precise language like "nearly finished" or "barely started" provides clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only half finished" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its state of completion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly describes something that is incomplete or partially done. The phrase is often used to provide a quick status update.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only half finished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase indicating that something is partially completed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to convey the degree of completion of a task or project. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides clear indication of the unfinished aspect. If greater precision than approximately 50% is needed, use alternative phrases like "partially completed" or "nearly finished".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially completed

Emphasizes the aspect of something being completed to some degree, but not entirely.

not fully completed

Highlights the lack of full completion, focusing on the absence of a finished state.

incompletely done

Stresses the deficient nature of the completion, suggesting something was not done thoroughly.

halfway done

Indicates that the process has reached its midpoint but is not yet finished.

partly executed

Suggests that some actions have been taken, but the execution is not complete.

unfinished state

Focuses on the condition of something being incomplete, without specifying how much is left to do.

work in progress

Describes something still being developed or worked on, implying ongoing effort.

less than complete

Emphasizes that the state of completion is less than what is required or expected.

remains incomplete

Highlights that something has not reached a state of completion and is still lacking.

still in development

Suggests that the item is actively being worked on and is not yet in its final form.

FAQs

What does "only half finished" mean?

The phrase "only half finished" means that something is partially completed, with approximately 50% of the work remaining to be done.

How can I use "only half finished" in a sentence?

You can use "only half finished" to describe projects, tasks, or processes that are incomplete. For example, "The painting is "only half finished", but I plan to complete it next week."

What can I say instead of "only half finished"?

You can use alternatives like "partially completed", "halfway done", or "incompletely done" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "only half finished" in formal writing?

While "only half finished" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "partially completed" or "not fully completed" in academic or professional contexts.