scarcely completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely completed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has just been finished or is only partially done, often implying that it is not fully satisfactory or ready. Example: "The project was scarcely completed when the deadline arrived, leaving many details unresolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can scarcely complete a sentence without getting personal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The debate and argument are scarcely complete without the report from the team of UN observers currently in country.

The Guardian

These arrangements had scarcely been completed when the British Somaliland protectorate administration found its modest rule threatened by a religious rebellion led by Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan.

Britannica

At any rate, scarcely had Sheikh Mansour completed his takeover in September 2008, at a stroke of the fountain pen transforming the club from perennial also-rans into serious trophy-hunters, than a City-supporting friend of mine phoned me and said, gloomily, "It's bound to end in tears... it's City".

Independent

If they had, they'd know that there are 24 hours in a day and that we need to be horizontal with our eyes shut for at least six of them to be of any use: and that the 18 remaining hours are scarcely sufficient to complete the gazillion course requirements as well as being on our way to becoming outstanding teachers.

The Guardian

Scarcely had the maker of miniatures completed the thimble palace when he felt a new burst of restlessness.

The New Yorker

In fact, since 1966, the year the Ford Foundation building was completed, the city has scarcely seen serious architecture of any kind.

The New York Times - Arts

Those that completed the journey with scarcely any hesitation are still on our list, or off it simply because they were no longer small companies (revenues cutoff of $350 million) or because they were acquired.

Forbes

Like so many important operas composed in Europe in the troubled years before and during World War II, "Die Liebe der Danae" scarcely had a chance to make its way after Strauss completed the score in 1940.

The New York Times - Arts

The serial was stretched out over six issues by printing scarcely more than a dozen pages in each installment; it finally completed in issue 31.

Wikipedia

He continued to record while on furloughs and resumed his career, with scarcely a glitch, after completing his two years of service.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely completed" to convey that something has been finished to a minimal extent or just barely concluded. It often implies that further work may be required or that the completion is unsatisfactory.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely completed" when the task is substantially finished. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the completion is marginal or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely completed" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle verb, emphasizing the minimal extent to which an action has been completed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely completed" indicates a task that is only just finished or barely brought to a conclusion, often implying that it is incomplete or unsatisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, it is absent in other categories. Related phrases include "barely finished" and "hardly completed". When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its implication of minimal completion to avoid overstating the degree to which something is finished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely finished

Emphasizes the minimal degree of completion.

hardly completed

Suggests the task was finished with difficulty or was nearly not completed.

just finished

Focuses on the recency of the completion, with little emphasis on the degree of completion.

newly completed

Highlights the recent nature of the completion.

incompletely done

Indicates that the task lacks full completion, suggesting more work is needed.

partially finished

Directly states that only a portion of the task is done.

virtually unfinished

Underlines that the task is far from being completed.

scarcely begun

Indicates minimal progress, opposite of completed.

almost untouched

Suggests a lack of progress, the task has not been started.

left undone

Highlights the lack of completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "scarcely completed" to describe something that has just been finished or is only partially done. Example: "The project was "scarcely completed" when the deadline arrived, leaving many details unresolved."

What phrases are similar to "scarcely completed"?

Alternatives to "scarcely completed" include "barely finished", "hardly completed", or "just finished", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "scarcely completed"?

"Scarcely completed" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is barely finished, implying that it might not be fully satisfactory or up to standard.

Is "scarcely completed" formal or informal?

"Scarcely completed" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the desired tone, as it can sometimes sound slightly critical or understated. In some situations, simpler alternatives like "almost unfinished" might be more appropriate.