partly completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been finished to some extent but is not fully done. Example: "The project is partly completed, and we expect to finish the remaining tasks by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

According to the Iraqi official, the border police found several thousand partly completed ballots inside.

The New York Times

Another grave, its concrete seal barely dry, had been partly completed nearby.

The Guardian

The DVD will include the two never-before-seen, partly completed episodes that were scrapped.

The New York Times - Arts

The left-hand wing of Lord Holford's St . Pauls-precinct complex is partly completed.

The New Yorker

In Mr. Wheeler's case his opera was only partly completed when his excerpt was first performed.

The New York Times - Arts

Investigators with the National Anticorruption Council say that in many cases, projects were only partly completed, or not at all.

The New York Times

"I try not to think about it," Mr. Manchester said, his partly completed manuscript on the coffee table.

The New York Times - Books

Pat Howard, in contrast, must return home to Australia with the nagging sense of a magnificent job only partly completed.

The Guardian - Sport

In Strasbourg, France, he published his partly completed martyrology in Latin as Commentarii rerum in ecclesia gestarum (1554; "Commentaries on Affairs Within the Church").

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Each step then in the series is for the sake of the next; and generally art partly completes what nature cannot bring to a finish, and partly imitates her.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Reaction mixtures are always likely to be left, for any number of reasons, when reaction is complete or sometimes when it is only partly complete.

What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters and How They Could Hare Been Avoided

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing between "partly completed" and alternatives like "partially finished" or "incompletely done" to ensure the most appropriate tone and level of formality.

Common error

Avoid using "partly completed" when something is barely started. This phrase implies a significant portion of the task has been finished. If only minimal work has been done, consider using "barely started" or "preliminary stage" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly completed" functions as a compound adjective that modifies a noun. It describes something that is in a state of partial completion, indicating that some portion of the work or task has been finished, but not the entirety. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "partly completed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used compound adjective to describe something that is in a state of partial completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in various writing styles and contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic fields. While alternatives such as "partially finished" or "incompletely done" exist, the choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. It's important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that a significant portion of the task has indeed been finished. When using this phrase it's also important to know and explain what aspects are still not completed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially finished

Synonymous with "partly completed", but emphasizes the state of being finished to some degree.

incompletely done

Highlights the lack of completeness, focusing on what is missing.

not fully realized

Emphasizes the potential or intended outcome that has not been completely achieved.

halfway finished

More specific about the degree of completion, implying approximately 50% is done.

partially executed

Focuses on the execution aspect, suggesting the action was only partly carried out.

unfinished to some extent

A more verbose way of saying "partly completed", adding a hedge.

under construction

Commonly used for physical structures, suggesting that work is still in progress.

still in progress

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the task, rather than the degree of completion.

work in progress

A general term indicating that something is not yet finalized.

remains incomplete

Highlights the continuing state of incompleteness.

FAQs

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

You can use "partly completed" to describe something that has been finished to some extent but is not fully done. For example: "The building is "partly completed", and we expect to finish the remaining tasks by next week."

What are some alternatives to "partly completed"?

Alternatives include "partially finished", "incompletely done", or "not fully realized depending" on the context.

Is it better to say "partly completed" or "partially completed"?

Both "partly completed" and "partially completed" are correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference, though "partly" might sound slightly more informal.

How does "partly completed" differ from "work in progress"?

"Partly completed" focuses on the state of being partially finished, while "work in progress" emphasizes that the task is still ongoing and not yet finalized. "Partly completed" suggests some portion is done, whereas "work in progress" doesn't necessarily specify the degree of completion.