practically complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly finished or almost entirely done, but may still require a few final touches or adjustments. Example: "The project is practically complete; we just need to finalize the presentation slides."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both deswelling and reswelling are practically complete in 14 s.

Polymer

Practically complete natural gas conversion has been obtained.

Catalysis Today

At the time of Michelangelo's death in 1564, the drum for the massive dome was practically complete.

Britannica

The herbarium is practically complete as far as the flora of North America and the West Indies goes.

The New Yorker

Sony, in particular, has recently introduced a series of revved-up, revamped Vaio desktop machines that are practically complete home movie studios in their own right.

The New York Times - Tech

RG19 degradation was found to be practically complete over a time of 15 60 min, for decolorization, and 50 200 min, for dearomatization, depending on the applied conditions.

Journal of Environmental Management

However, after designing and testing 167 compositions in five generations, the best catalysts resulted in practically complete conversion of methane at 350 °C.

Applied Catalysis A: General

With the fall of the Emirau Islands on March 20, the Allies' stranglehold on Rabaul and Kavieng was practically complete, so that they could thenceforth disregard the 100,000 Japanese immobilized there.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The particles formation was practically completed within 0.01 s.

Chemical Engineering Science

HANGS ON A SINGLE DECISION Details of the Power Corporation's Big Deal Said to Be Practically Completed.

The New York Times

The canal will be practically completed by December 1, when, if necessary, the entire Atlantic fleet could pass through.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "practically complete", ensure the context supports the implication that only minor details remain. If significant work is still needed, a different phrase might be more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "practically complete" when there are still significant steps or revisions required. This can mislead the audience and create unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically complete" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun. It describes the state of something that is very close to being finished, implying that only minor tasks or details remain. Ludwig shows its frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically complete" is a useful way to describe something that is very near to being finished. As Ludwig highlights, it's commonly found in scientific, news and encyclopedia sources. Remember that it implies only minor details are outstanding. While grammatically correct, overstating completion can mislead. Consider alternatives like "virtually complete" or "almost finished" depending on the context. Always ensure your description accurately reflects the remaining workload.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Emphasizes the completeness to a degree where any remaining part is negligible.

almost finished

Focuses on the process of finishing, implying the task is nearing its end.

nearly complete

Highlights the proximity to completion, suggesting a small amount remains.

substantially complete

Indicates that the major part is done, suitable for formal contexts.

essentially complete

Stresses that the completion is achieved in all important aspects.

for all practical purposes complete

Highlights that the result is complete in such a way it makes it almost impossible to tell the difference from 100% completion.

as good as complete

Highlights that the result is almost the same as being finished.

nearing completion

Focuses on the ongoing progress and the expectation of imminent completion.

close to finished

Suggests a state of being very near to the final stage of completion.

on the verge of completion

Indicates that the final completion is very close and likely to occur soon.

FAQs

How can I use "practically complete" in a sentence?

You can use "practically complete" to describe something that is very close to being finished, needing only minor adjustments. For example, "The building's construction is "practically complete"; we just need to finish the interior design."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "practically complete"?

Alternatives include "virtually complete", "almost finished", or "nearly complete". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "practically complete" and "completely finished"?

"Practically complete" implies that something is very close to being finished but might still need minor adjustments. "Completely finished" suggests there's nothing left to do. The slight difference reflects whether any final touches are needed.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "practically complete"?

Use "practically complete" when you want to communicate that something is at a very advanced stage of completion, but with the understanding that some minimal work might remain. This is suitable when communicating status updates or setting expectations.