the list is incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the list is incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a list does not contain all the necessary items or information. Example: "Please review the document and note that the list is incomplete; additional items need to be added."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Obviously the list is incomplete, so feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.

The Guardian - Sport

Add humor and hype, daring and dancing, and still the list is incomplete.

The New York Times - Arts

Even then the list is incomplete, and not just because it does not include the large number of those wounded.

The New York Times

The list is incomplete, but the main point is that value differences must not be allowed to split the centre-left coalition, as has happened in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

A note from Albert J. Thomas, pastor in 1846 states that many baptisms, marriages and deaths were not recorded by his predecessors, so the list is incomplete.

Cornell University

Even if the EPA was able to compile a list of 1,076 chemicals used in the fracking process, the list is incomplete, with businesses involved in fracking able to cite some components as amounting to confidential business information, and therefore not subject to release to the public, the report indicates.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ms. Carroll said the list was incomplete and did not include Ms. Rose's schedule.

The New York Times

As recommended by TheRedThreat, Leonidas1582 and karleker Several readers felt the list was incomplete in the absence of Sadako Yamamura, the antagonist in Koji Suzuki's novel Ring, which was adapted for the big screen by Hideo Nakata in 1998.

The Guardian

The following year, the parliamentary report of the National Assembly listed 24 places of worship; the church stated the list was incomplete and incorrect as three places were missed, and eight belonged to other churches.

Wikipedia

If a participant thought the list was incomplete, he or she was asked to add specific behaviors to the framework.

BMC Health Services Research

Ask the seller questions about an item if the listing is incomplete or does not provide you with the information you need.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up with a clear indication of how the list will be updated or supplemented. This reassures the audience that the incompleteness is being addressed.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "the list is incomplete" without providing a plan for future additions or revisions. This leaves the audience uncertain about the status and utility of the list.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the list is incomplete" functions as a statement, indicating that a particular list is not comprehensive or exhaustive. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase acknowledges that the list is missing elements, setting an expectation for further additions or revisions. It is a declaration of a list's current state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the list is incomplete" serves as a disclaimer, informing an audience that a given list is not exhaustive. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts. Usage is categorized as uncommon, most frequently appearing in News & Media and Scientific domains. It's important to provide context or a plan for updating the list when using this phrase, to avoid confusion or frustration. Related alternatives include "the inventory is not exhaustive" and "additional items need to be included".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The inventory is not exhaustive

Emphasizes that the collection is not comprehensive.

The catalog is not comprehensive

Focuses on the lack of comprehensiveness of a catalog.

The register is not comprehensive

Highlights the register's deficiency in coverage.

The enumeration is not complete

Indicates that the counting or listing process is unfinished.

The record is not exhaustive

Expresses that the recording is not detailed.

The documentation is not finished

Points out the lack of completion in the documentation.

The compendium is not full

Highlights the lack of content in a collection of items.

The collection is not complete

Highlights a lack of completeness in a compilation.

Additional items need to be included

Focuses on the necessity to include additional items

The details are still pending

Highlights that the details need to be specified

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "the list is incomplete"?

It means that the list in question does not contain all the items or information it should, and may require further additions or revisions to be considered complete.

How can I indicate that "the list is incomplete" without using those exact words?

You could say "the list is not exhaustive", "the list is partial", or "additional items need to be added".

When is it appropriate to state that "the list is incomplete"?

It's appropriate when you're presenting a list that is known to be missing items, but you still want to provide the available information. Be sure to manage expectations by clarifying that the list will be updated.

Is it better to provide an incomplete list or no list at all?

Providing an incomplete list can be helpful if the included items are valuable, but it's crucial to acknowledge its incompleteness and, if possible, indicate how and when it will be updated. Consider also providing "additional items need to be included" as a disclaimer.