the complete thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the complete thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is whole or finished, often in contrast to something that is partial or incomplete. Example: "After months of hard work, we finally have the complete thing ready for presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Science Channel just picked up the rights to the series and will air the complete thing along with some new extras.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For a certain type of person -- Lopate, certainly, along with anyone who has books by Herbert Asbury, Joseph Mitchell or E. B. White on the bookshelf, along with Robert Caro's "Power Broker" -- knowing interesting, random facts about this city is the point, the whole and complete thing.

The New York Times - Books

"On the other hand, 'SportsCenter' is a really cool show and really fun, and already ironic, so to parody that is the complete wrong thing to do".

The New York Times - Arts

"Of course," he adds, "the urge to complete things is associated with the greater proximity of death".

The Guardian - Books

Click Here to see The Complete List Things You Didn't Know About Gerber Baby Food.

Huffington Post

The striker should really have hit the target but instead his shot bounced invitingly off the post for Routledge to complete things, blasting low into the far corner for his first Premier League goal.

BBC

To begin with, do a little – leave tasks half done, don't try to complete things at the beginning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"My brain moves on before I manage to complete things".

The New York Times

Complete things by their deadline and you'll be fine.

WikiHow

This is the complete list of things that went right for the Yankees in the final game of the regular season on Sunday at Fenway Park: Robinson Cano got his 200th hit.

The New York Times - Sports

She has also written "The Complete Manual of Things That Might Kill You" and designed a series of guided journals with names like "I Can't Sleep" and "My Dysfunctions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or series, use "the complete thing" to indicate that all steps have been concluded.

Common error

Avoid using "the complete thing" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated terms like "the entirety", "the comprehensive analysis", or "the full extent" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the complete thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to an entire entity, emphasizing that nothing is missing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the complete thing" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the entirety or totality of something. According to Ludwig AI, it is often employed to convey a sense of thoroughness and finality. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal settings might benefit from more sophisticated alternatives like "the entirety" or "the comprehensive analysis". The phrase appears most frequently in news media, wiki and science contexts, making it a generally neutral expression. Remembering these guidelines will help you use "the complete thing" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the whole thing

Focuses on entirety, synonymous and frequently interchangeable.

the entire thing

Emphasizes the full extent or scope.

the finished product

Highlights the end result after completion.

the full package

Suggests a comprehensive offering or solution.

the sum total

Implies the aggregate or combined amount.

the totality

Emphasizes the state of being complete or total.

the comprehensive version

Highlights thoroughness and inclusivity.

the unabridged edition

Focuses on the lack of omissions or cuts.

the finalized version

Implies that the final changes and updates have been made.

the ultimate edition

Suggests the most complete or definitive version.

FAQs

What does "the complete thing" mean?

The phrase "the complete thing" refers to something in its entirety, with all parts or aspects included. It suggests that nothing is missing or left out.

When is it appropriate to use "the complete thing" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "the complete thing" in situations where you want to emphasize that something is whole, finished, or thorough, as opposed to partial or incomplete. You might consider alternatives like "the whole thing" or "the entire thing".

Are there synonyms for "the complete thing" that I can use?

Yes, synonyms include "the full package", "the entirety", or "the finished product", depending on the context. Each of these emphasizes the idea of completeness in slightly different ways.

Is "the complete thing" formal or informal?

The phrase "the complete thing" leans toward the informal side. In formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "the comprehensive version" or "the finalized version".