partially completed

USAGE SUMMARY

"partially completed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that has been started but not yet finished. For example, "The renovations in the kitchen are partially completed, with the new countertop and cabinets in place, but the floor still needs to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our latest information shows that 13 counties had completely or partially completed their recounts.

The New York Times

In the living room, trunks lay along the walls, filled with completed and partially completed garments.

The New Yorker

Partially completed stadiums, unfinished parking lots and new bus lanes dot the city.

The New York Times

In July, Ryan and her tiny team decided it was time to release the partially completed map online.

The New Yorker

Palm Beach County then submitted the results of its partially completed manual recount, which the Secretary refused to accept.

The New York Times

I walked them all around, and we examined a number of partially completed projects.

The New York Times

The second volume was only partially completed when Wheldale Onslow died the following year, presumably in Cambridge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

O'Malley's opponent still marveled at how much he learned about mailings and about "never leaving any task partially completed" during the race.

The Guardian

This constant yo-yo effect contributed to a development cycle in which planned features were partially completed and then dumped numerous times over.

The Guardian - Tech

The tower's classical/gothic hybrid arose from confusion between architect and patron, who arrived from Italy to find a partially completed 100ft classical tower.

The Guardian - Music

Throughout the countryside we saw partially completed apartment complexes with no windows, and in some cases incomplete walls, that had entire families living in them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partially completed" to convey the idea that while something isn't finished, significant progress has been made. It avoids the negativity of terms like 'unfinished'.

Common error

Avoid using "partially completed" as a vague statement. Always provide context regarding what aspects are completed and what still needs attention. For example, instead of saying 'The project is partially completed', specify 'The design phase is partially completed, with only the user interface remaining'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially completed" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that has been started but not finished. Ludwig's examples show its use across diverse contexts, such as describing construction projects, surveys, and assignments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partially completed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is in progress but not yet finished. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adjective phrase providing a status update across diverse contexts such as science, news, and general information. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, ensuring clear context helps avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "partly done" or "incompletely finished" depending on the specific nuance. Given its wide applicability and clear meaning, "partially completed" is a versatile tool for describing ongoing tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partly done

Indicates something is in progress but not entirely finished; emphasizes a lack of full completion.

incompletely finished

Highlights that the process or task remains unfinished, indicating the absence of total completion.

unfinished to some extent

Focuses on the degree of incompleteness, clarifying the work is not yet fully executed.

not fully executed

Emphasizes the absence of complete execution, suggesting something has been initiated but isn't fully carried out.

under construction

Implies active effort toward completion; suggests the process or task is still in a development stage.

partially executed

Highlights that some steps have been taken, but the overall objective is still not fully realized.

work in progress

Focuses on the continual evolution and modification as the task nears completion.

still in development

Suggests the task is in an early or intermediate stage, requiring continued effort to finalize.

in the making

Presents a sense of ongoing creation or formation, underscoring the task's current state.

under development

Emphasizes the ongoing enhancement and refinement of a project or task before finalization.

FAQs

What does "partially completed" mean?

The phrase "partially completed" means that something has been started but is not yet finished. It indicates that some aspects or steps have been done, but others remain to be addressed or finalized.

How can I use "partially completed" in a sentence?

You can use "partially completed" to describe projects, tasks, or processes that are in progress. For example: "The construction of the new bridge is "partly done", with the main structure in place but the access roads still "under construction"."

What's the difference between "partially completed" and "fully completed"?

"Partially completed" indicates that a task is still "work in progress", while "fully completed" means the task is entirely finished and requires no further action.

Are there synonyms for "partially completed"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "partly done", "incompletely finished", or "unfinished to some extent" as alternatives to "partially completed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.