unfinished work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfinished work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any work, task, or project that has not yet been completed or finished. For example, "I have a lot of unfinished work to do before I can take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The new Russia is an unfinished work.

The New York Times

There's unfinished work to be done".

The New York Times

Unfinished work the artist had done decades ago was deteriorating.

The Washington Post

But is an unfinished work of art... art?

The Guardian

Others passed on their unfinished work to proteges.

The New York Times

And yet their unfinished work is reinvigorated today in #BlackLivesMatters.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Well, except for his or her unfinished work that gets dumped on your desk).

The New York Times

Yet "Richard" reads at times like the unfinished work of an overextended author.

The New Yorker

1986 An unfinished work found after his death, Tintin and Alph-Art is published.

Independent

Barring a miraculous trade for Anthony, the Knicks will open the season as an unfinished work.

The New York Times - Sports

On his deathbed, he instructed his wife, Véra, to burn the unfinished work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a body of work that someone left behind after their death, using "unfinished work" can be a respectful and appropriate way to acknowledge their legacy.

Common error

Avoid using "unfinished work" when the issue is not simply a matter of completion but a lack of any meaningful progress. "Stalled project" or "dormant initiative" might be more accurate if the work has not advanced significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfinished work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to tasks or projects that are not yet complete. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from artistic endeavors to political agendas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unfinished work" is a common noun phrase used to describe incomplete tasks or projects across various contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. As seen through Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral to formal register. While it's often interchangeable with terms like "incomplete task" or "work in progress", it's important to select the term that most accurately reflects the context and the nature of the incompleteness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work in progress

Suggests that the work is currently being developed and is not yet ready for completion.

incomplete task

Focuses on the lack of completion of a specific task.

uncompleted project

Specifically refers to a project that has not reached its final stage.

remaining tasks

Points out the tasks that are left to be done from a larger set.

outstanding duties

Highlights responsibilities that remain to be fulfilled.

pending assignments

Emphasizes tasks that are waiting to be done.

ongoing efforts

Suggests a continuous effort towards a goal that is not yet achieved.

deferred matters

Indicates issues or tasks that have been postponed.

unfulfilled obligations

Stresses the duties that have not been carried out.

unresolved issues

Highlights problems or matters that have not been settled.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfinished work" to describe tasks, projects, or duties that are not yet complete. For example, "The committee has a lot of "work in progress" and "unfinished work" before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "unfinished work"?

Some alternatives to "unfinished work" include "incomplete task", "outstanding duties", and "work in progress", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "unfinished work" to describe a project that has been abandoned?

While "unfinished work" can technically apply to an abandoned project, phrases like "abandoned project" or "incomplete project" might be more appropriate to emphasize the lack of intention to complete it.

What is the difference between "unfinished work" and "work in progress"?

"Unfinished work" generally refers to tasks or projects that are not yet completed, while "work in progress" specifically implies that the work is currently being actively developed, but hasn't reached a point of being finalized.