remained incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been finished or is lacking necessary components. Example: "The project remained incomplete due to unforeseen circumstances that delayed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Albert's body was temporarily entombed in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, until a year after his death his remains were deposited at Frogmore Mausoleum, which remained incomplete until 1871.

Wikipedia

The Bushwick section remained incomplete.

The New York Times

For now production remained incomplete for the program to be broadcast live at noon.

The New York Times - Arts

Much of their work remained in the realm of experimentation, and much of it remained incomplete.

The New Yorker

Although Croatia was granted international recognition in 1992, the government's control over its own territories remained incomplete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the latter years, the Glasgow Cup sometimes just petered out as disinterest grew and it was either not competed for or remained incomplete.

The Guardian - Sport

The effort remained incomplete Friday, leaving dangling legislation to improve energy efficiency, rewrite terrorist surveillance rules and map out Pentagon spending.

The New York Times

Activists such as Ibrahim see the appointment of Sisi as another example of the ways in which the revolution has remained incomplete.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet her life-change remained incomplete until she and her husband emerged from their high-stakes, high-stress discipline to do something of utmost normality – buy a house.

The Guardian

As a result, the story of one of the most breathtaking intellectual achievements in history remained incomplete for more than half a century.

The New York Times

The American Shani Davis established himself as the leading man heading into the Vancouver Games, but the composition of many countries' Olympic teams, including the United States squad, remained incomplete.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remained incomplete", specify the reason or aspect that was not completed. This provides clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "remained incomplete" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, consider active voice alternatives to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The project remained incomplete", try "The team did not complete the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained incomplete" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as being unfinished or lacking necessary components. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in written English. Examples in Ludwig show it modifying various subjects, such as 'production', 'effort', and 'story'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained incomplete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that was not fully finished. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it is important to provide context and avoid overuse in passive voice. Alternatives such as "was left unfinished" or "stayed uncompleted" can add variety to your writing. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its legitimacy and utility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was left unfinished

Focuses on the act of leaving something without completion, implying a degree of intentionality or abandonment.

stayed uncompleted

Emphasizes the state of being uncompleted over a period, highlighting a lack of progress.

was still outstanding

Highlights that something required is pending and not yet provided or resolved

was never finalized

Suggests a lack of official approval or confirmation, implying a more formal context.

remained outstanding

Similar to 'was still outstanding' but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the continuing need for resolution.

remained deficient

Indicates that something lacks necessary elements or qualities, pointing to a specific shortcoming.

failed to reach completion

Focuses on the unsuccessful attempt to finish something, highlighting the effort made and the lack of success.

was left wanting

Emphasizes a sense of lacking or being insufficient, often from a subjective perspective.

was only partially done

Highlights the extent of progress made, indicating that some work was accomplished but not fully.

fell short of being complete

Emphasizes the distance between the current state and full completion, suggesting a significant gap.

FAQs

How can I use "remained incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "remained incomplete" to describe something that wasn't fully finished or lacked essential parts. For example: "The investigation "remained incomplete" due to lack of evidence."

What are some alternatives to "remained incomplete"?

Alternatives include "was left unfinished", "stayed uncompleted", or "was never finalized", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "remained incomplete" or "was incomplete"?

"Remained incomplete" suggests a process or expectation of completion that was not met. "Was incomplete" simply states a state of incompleteness without implying prior expectation. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "remained incomplete"?

It means that something was not fully finished or lacked essential components. It implies that there was an expectation or attempt to complete it, but that completion was not achieved.