reports were incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reports were incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the status or quality of reports, indicating that they lack necessary information or details. Example: "The project was delayed because the reports were incomplete, leading to misunderstandings about the requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In 2009, the Government Accountability Office found that 87 percent of investigative reports were incomplete.

The New York Times

Men went missing; battle, hospital and prison reports were incomplete and inaccurate; dead men were buried unidentified; and family members were forced to infer the fate of a loved one from his failure to return home after the war.

The New York Times

Another parole official said that board members were dismayed to learn after the class-action was filed that the official reports were incomplete, and that one demanded an accounting from Mr. Consovoy -- which resulted in the memo listing cases in the major crimes unit.

The New York Times

Some reports were incomplete hence not included in the study.

BMC Medical Ethics

Of the 431 women in this study, 86 were excluded because pathology reports were incomplete.

Breast Cancer Research

Although most surveillance systems may be designed for national coverage, reports were incomplete to a varying degree.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Advocates on both sides agree that catalogs of violent acts are not enough and that news reports are incomplete.

The New York Times

The Brooklyn borough president's office has done that, but some of its reports are incomplete.

The New York Times

WikiLeaks released military documents in October 2010 that included accounts of Iraqi fatalities, but such reports are incomplete and sometimes biased, and they reflect only what the troops actually witnessed.

The New York Times

No bank CEO can faithfully attest to the accuracy and completeness of its financial reports when derivatives guarantee that the reports are incomplete and deceptive.

Huffington Post

Passing a short distance north of the island, Typhoon Paka produced strong winds across northern Guam, though reliable wind reports are incomplete due to the long duration and intensity of the winds.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating that "reports were incomplete", specify what information was missing or why the reports were considered incomplete. This provides context and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "reports were incomplete" without providing any supporting evidence or explanation. This can weaken your argument and leave the reader questioning your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reports were incomplete" functions as a statement indicating that certain reports lacked necessary information or details. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. The examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as investigations and studies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reports were incomplete" is a grammatically sound way to indicate a lack of sufficient information in reports, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify what information was missing to provide clarity. While the phrase itself is correct, overgeneralization without providing context is a common pitfall to avoid. Alternatives include phrases like "reports lacked sufficient detail" or "reports omitted key information". Overall, "reports were incomplete" serves as a straightforward way to convey a deficiency in documentation across various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reports lacked sufficient detail

This alternative focuses on the absence of necessary details, implying a lack of thoroughness.

reports were deficient

This suggests the reports had shortcomings or flaws, making them less useful.

reports omitted key information

This highlights the exclusion of crucial data, leading to an incomplete understanding.

reports contained gaps

This indicates that the reports had missing sections or areas of information.

reports were not comprehensive

This suggests a lack of broad or complete coverage of the subject matter.

reports missed crucial elements

Emphasizes the absence of essential components needed for a full understanding.

reports were sketchy

Implies that the reports were lacking in detail and potentially unreliable.

reports were fragmentary

Suggests that the reports were composed of disconnected or incomplete parts.

reports were wanting

Indicates that the reports were lacking in something necessary or desirable.

reports were cursory

Implies the reports were hastily done and lacked thoroughness.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "reports were incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "reports were incomplete" to indicate that necessary information was missing. For example: "The investigation stalled because the police "reports were incomplete"." or "The study was inconclusive because the "reports were incomplete" and lacked key data points."

What are some alternatives to saying "reports were incomplete"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reports lacked sufficient detail", "reports were deficient", or "reports omitted key information". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "reports were incomplete" or "the report was incomplete"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to multiple reports or a single one. Use "reports were incomplete" when discussing multiple reports and "the report was incomplete" when referring to a single report.

What does it mean when someone says "the reports were incomplete"?

It means the reports lacked essential information, details, or sections necessary for a complete understanding or analysis. This could hinder decision-making or further investigation.