substantially completed

USAGE SUMMARY

'substantially completed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that has been largely completed, but may have a few remaining steps. For example, "The project is substantially completed, but we still need to double-check the calculations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The exterior, not merely the frame, had been substantially completed.

The New York Times

It is expected to be substantially completed in July.

The New York Times - Arts

Once that work is substantially completed, the U.S.S.

The New York Times

Repairs to the balance sheet are ahead of schedule and should be substantially completed next year.

The Guardian - Business

While the buildings are substantially completed, they are not yet occupied.

The New York Times

Further, designs must be substantially completed prior to start of production.

The Future of Nuclear Power

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The sale, RJR said, substantially completes its plan to reduce debt through asset sales.

The New York Times

The proposal to substantially complete the human genome in three years would seem extreme hubris coming from almost anyone but Dr. Venter.

The New York Times

In the meantime, Mr. Kahan still wants to build the condominiums, and argues that even without the missing slabs, the foundation was "substantially" complete by the Feb. 15, 2006, deadline.

The New York Times

Almost equally remarkable is that other genome experts seem to accept with little reservation that the abductors have a reasonable chance of making good on their claim to substantially complete the human genome, starting from scratch, in three years.

The New York Times - Science

"The acquisition of Actavis will create the third largest global generics company, substantially completing Watson's expansion as a leading global generics company," Paul M. Bisaro, chief executive of Watson, said in a statement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define the criteria for substantial completion in contracts or agreements to prevent disputes over project milestones.

Common error

Don't use "substantially completed" when the task is actually 100% finished. "Substantially completed" implies that minor tasks might still be pending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially completed" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the degree to which something has been finished. It suggests that the task is largely, but not entirely, complete. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially completed" is a versatile and commonly used adjective phrase that indicates something is largely finished but may have a few remaining steps. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While it's appropriate for formal writing, remember that it does not mean the same as 100% finished, but rather, close to it. Consider alternatives like "nearly finished" or "almost complete" for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost complete

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express near completion.

virtually complete

This alternative indicates that only minor details remain to be addressed.

nearly finished

This alternative is less formal and focuses on the state of being close to the end of a process.

close to completion

This alternative phrase focuses on the proximity to the final stage.

largely finalized

This alternative emphasizes that most of the final steps have been taken.

nearing completion

This alternative highlights the ongoing process of approaching completion.

practically accomplished

This alternative suggests the task is so close to completion that for practical purposes it can be considered done.

essentially done

This alternative uses more informal language to convey that something is practically finished.

in its final stages

This alternative emphasizes that the process is nearing its conclusion.

substantially achieved

This alternative focuses more on the accomplishment of the objective rather than the physical completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantially completed" to indicate that a project or task is mostly done but might have some minor details or tasks remaining. For example, "The building's construction is "substantially completed", but some interior work remains."

What's the difference between "substantially completed" and "finished"?

"Finished" implies that something is entirely done with no remaining tasks. "Substantially completed" means that it's mostly done, but there might be a few minor things left to do. The key difference is that "substantially completed" acknowledges a degree of incompleteness, while "finished" does not.

What can I say instead of "substantially completed"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly finished", "almost complete", or "largely finalized" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "substantially completed" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially completed" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, business, or academic contexts where precise language is important. It conveys a specific degree of completion without implying absolute finality.