the list is not comprehensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the list is not comprehensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the items included in a list do not cover all possible options or examples. Example: "Please note that the list is not comprehensive; there are many other resources available that may also be helpful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The list is not comprehensive, but covers the most useful registers.

University of California, Berkeley

The list is not comprehensive, but shows how the Obama administration initially gestured toward transparency, but has pulled the curtains closed on the issues that really matter.

The New York Times

Much of it involves what David Kurpius, the University of Missouri's journalism dean, calls "the watchdog function". The list is not comprehensive, of course, and I invite you to send me other examples, at [email protected].

The New York Times

The list is not comprehensive, but here, in descending order of acceptability, are four different flavours of hahahahah.It would be consoling to think that the most prevalent sort of hahahahah was the most high-minded one, the one that says: "This is a man who behaved dishonourably and was caught out".

The Economist

The list is not comprehensive, so if we've forgotten your favorite pre-Lenten bacchanal, please let us know.

Forbes

Given the wide range of drugs that fall into this class of compounds, the list is not comprehensive but used to illustrate the diverse range of drugs available.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So we will save you the trouble of telling us the list isn't comprehensive.

The New York Times

Although the listing is not comprehensive, it provides the practitioner 'internet' resources in caring for children.

British Journal of Cancer

Certain processing aids are listed under Chapter XVI of the CAA, but this list is not comprehensive.

Food Additives and Contaminants - Part A Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure and Risk Assessment

In Argentina, certain processing aids are listed under Chapter XVI of the CAA; however, this list is not comprehensive.

Food Additives and Contaminants - Part A Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure and Risk Assessment

Although most of these challenges were identified through SWOT analysis, it should be borne in mind that this list is not comprehensive and the list of potential solutions is not also comprehensive.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the list is not comprehensive", clarify the scope of the list. Briefly explain what the list does include and what it intentionally omits. This sets appropriate expectations for the reader.

Common error

Don't just state "the list is not comprehensive" without providing context. Readers might misinterpret this as negligence rather than intentional selection. Offer a reason for the limited scope, such as 'due to space constraints' or 'focusing on key elements'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the list is not comprehensive" functions as a disclaimer. It clarifies that a given list is not exhaustive, managing expectations by indicating that other relevant items may exist beyond those included. This usage is validated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the list is not comprehensive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used disclaimer, indicating that a list is selective rather than exhaustive. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to manage audience expectations across diverse contexts like science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, provide context about the list's scope to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives include "the list is not exhaustive" or "the list is incomplete", each carrying slightly different connotations. Overall, it's a valuable phrase for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the list is not exhaustive

Replaces "comprehensive" with "exhaustive", indicating the list doesn't cover all possibilities.

the list is not complete

Substitutes "comprehensive" with "complete", meaning some items are missing from the list.

the list is not all-inclusive

Uses "all-inclusive" instead of "comprehensive", emphasizing that the list does not include every possible item.

this is not a comprehensive list

Rephrases the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

the list is partial

Uses "partial" to indicate the list only includes some items.

the list is not thorough

Uses "thorough" to indicate a lack of detailed coverage.

the list is selective

Indicates the list includes chosen items, not necessarily all.

the list is limited

Emphasizes that the list is restricted in scope or size.

the list provides a sample

Conveys that the list is just a representation, not a full enumeration.

the list is indicative

Suggests the list is representative but not exhaustive.

FAQs

What does it mean when I say "the list is not comprehensive"?

Saying "the list is not comprehensive" means that the list is not exhaustive. It implies that there are more items or possibilities that could be included, but haven't been for a specific reason.

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

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

Is it better to say "the list is not comprehensive" or "the list is incomplete"?

Both phrases are acceptable. "The list is not comprehensive" suggests an intentional selection, while "the list is incomplete" might imply something is missing unintentionally. The best choice depends on your specific context.

How can I indicate that a list is not exhaustive without using "the list is not comprehensive"?

You could say "This is a sampling", "This list is for illustrative purposes", or "This list highlights key examples". These alternatives provide similar context without using the specific phrase.