unfinished item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfinished item" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The to-do list on my desk includes several unfinished items from yesterday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps they wish to visit family, take a trip somewhere they've never been, or check off an unfinished item on their own private bucket list.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Salazar said that among the unfinished items on his agenda was an effort to expand the public lands under permanent protection.

The New York Times

There are also a variety of other small unfinished items including, for example, Braille characters on important signs in the building.

The New York Times

The United Nations has never recognised Indonesian rule there, leaving East Timor as one of the unfinished items on the world's post-colonial agenda.

The Economist

In this episode, Finn finds Billy's (voiced by Ferrigno) bucket list and decides to complete the unfinished items, as a tribute toward the fallen hero.

Wikipedia

If you like spicing up old or plain things, try looking for unfinished items at craft stores or search garage/lawn/estate sales for neat items.

WikiHow

While they are very different presidents and not personally close, at least some of the unfinished agenda items left from the Clinton administration have found their way to the top of the Obama priority list.

The New York Times

Albania's aspiration to obtain the status of EU candidate country is materialised but a number of "unfinished agenda" items are featured prominently in the European Commission's country progress report – such as the need for nation-wide political consensus, better governance, stronger rule of law, and observance of human rights standards.

Unicef

Insist on unfinished or procrastinated items that you do still think are important (head the item with a grid and underline it with the red crayon) to mean you're intent on getting that done), introduce new items according to new developments or give up on something after a thorough analysis, being on your guard not to deceive yourself and start the old procrastinating attitude.

WikiHow

"I suppose we all go out with one item of unfinished business," he wrote.

The New York Times

His Ascension Day Anthem (St Paul's Cathedral) is now a standard item; his unfinished piece for the Gloucester Cathedral choir a monument to his vision and technique.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfinished item", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of item you're referring to (e.g., a task, a project, a product). Adding context will improve clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "unfinished item" can sound informal in certain professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "outstanding task" or "pending matter" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfinished item" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unfinished" modifies the noun "item". As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used to describe something that is not completed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfinished item" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe something incomplete, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in usage, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. It serves the purpose of identifying and categorizing incomplete tasks or elements, although in more formal settings, alternatives like "outstanding task" or "pending matter" may be preferred for a more professional tone. When employing "unfinished item", ensure sufficient context to specify what the item refers to, enhancing overall clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfinished task

Replaces "item" with "task", emphasizing the action required.

incomplete task

Focuses on the lack of completion rather than the 'item' aspect.

unresolved task

Similar to 'incomplete task' but places more stress on resolving it.

outstanding issue

Emphasizes the unresolved nature of the item or matter.

outstanding task

Similar to "outstanding issue", emphasizing resolution of the task.

incomplete work

Focuses on the work aspect of the item, implying a project.

pending matter

Highlights that the item is waiting to be dealt with.

pending item

Indicates the item is waiting for action or decision.

open item

Suggests the item is still under consideration or active.

uncompleted element

More formal, replacing "item" with "element" and "unfinished" with "uncompleted".

FAQs

How can I use "unfinished item" in a sentence?

You can use "unfinished item" to refer to tasks, projects, or other things that have not been completed. For example, "Addressing the "unfinished item" on the agenda is crucial for this meeting".

What are some alternatives to saying "unfinished item"?

Alternatives include phrases like "incomplete task", "outstanding issue", or "pending matter" depending on the context.

Is "unfinished item" formal or informal?

The phrase "unfinished item" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "outstanding task" or "unresolved issue".

What does it mean when someone says they have "unfinished business"?

Saying one has "unfinished business" usually means they have unresolved issues or tasks they need to address, often implying emotional or personal matters rather than simply a task. This is different from a single "unfinished item".