the list is not complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the list is not complete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a list provided does not include all relevant items or information. Example: "Please note that the list is not complete; additional items will be added in the next update."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The list is not complete.

The New York Times

While extensive, the list is not complete.

The New York Times - Tech

Among the candidates nominated for the title are lexigraphs, phonograms, phonic indicators, phonoideographs, logographs, morphographs, sinographs, syllabograms, and syllabo-phonograms (DeFrancis 1984: 73; the list is not complete).

SEP

We note, however, the list is not complete.

Plosone

The list is not complete, but it does cover the major categories.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By collecting examples from the Internet, published accounts and its workers' personal experiences, the Jack in the Box restaurant chain compiled an informal tally last year of about 50 unusual types of drive-throughs and drive-ins, but a spokesman said that the list was not complete.

The New York Times

(The list does not include publications for granite only. Many of the publications indicate where the product was installed. This list is not complete; consult Bibliography of Geology. U.S. Geological Survey or for example GeoRef on line).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And, still worse, this list is not complete.

Huffington Post

Take note that this list is not complete.

WikiHow

During each debriefing, we discussed what we had observed, and elicited a set of observations or quotations from each subject, such as "our leadership encourages us to maintain good problem lists" or "the problem list is not complete, therefore I don't rely on it".

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This list is not complete but features a representative selection of the typical spectral libraries that are available for the interpretation of remote sensing infrared measurements of asteroid surface.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the list is not complete", explicitly state how additional items will be included or where further information can be found. This provides context and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "the list is not complete" when the context implies the list should be exhaustive. Use it only when it's acceptable for the list to be partial or evolving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the list is not complete" functions as a disclaimer. It's used to manage expectations by indicating that the information provided is partial and that there may be other relevant items or details not included. Ludwig confirms this by showcasing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the list is not complete" serves as a disclaimer, signaling that a provided list is partial and may not encompass all relevant items. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral in register, providing additional context about why the list is incomplete is advisable. Using synonyms like "the list is incomplete" or "the list is not exhaustive" can offer nuanced alternatives. Finally, avoid using this phrase when completeness is implied, as it may mislead the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the list is incomplete

Replaces "not complete" with its direct synonym "incomplete".

the list is partial

Suggests that the list only represents a portion of the whole.

the list is not exhaustive

Emphasizes that the list does not include every possible item.

the list is not comprehensive

Indicates a lack of thoroughness or inclusiveness in the list.

the list is still in progress

Highlights that the list is still being developed or updated.

the list is subject to change

Implies that additions or modifications to the list are possible.

the list is preliminary

Suggests the list is an early version and may not be finalized.

the list is unfinalized

Directly states that the list has not reached its final form.

the list remains to be completed

Indicates that further additions are required to finalize the list.

the list is an ongoing project

Highlights that the list is part of a continuous effort and is expected to evolve.

FAQs

What does "the list is not complete" mean?

The phrase "the list is not complete" means that the presented list is missing items or information and is not a comprehensive representation of everything that could be included.

What can I say instead of "the list is not complete"?

You can use alternatives like "the list is incomplete", "the list is partial", or "the list is not exhaustive" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "the list is not complete" in formal writing?

Yes, "the list is not complete" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure clarity by specifying why the list is incomplete and where readers can find additional information if available.

What is the difference between "the list is not complete" and "the list is complete"?

"The list is not complete" indicates that there are missing items, while "the list is complete" means that all relevant items are included. The former suggests more information exists elsewhere, while the latter implies finality.