unfinishedness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfinishedness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the state of being incomplete or not finished, often in contexts related to art, projects, or thoughts. Example: "The artist embraced the unfinishedness of her work, believing it added depth and intrigue to the final piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Coetzee wants to interrupt the usual smoothness because, in part, he wants to remind us of the provisionality, the unfinishedness, of ideas as we encounter them in novelistic form.

The New Yorker

Obrist, for his part, notes that his exhibits often demonstrate what he has called a "quality of unfinishedness and incompleteness".

The New Yorker

This is a novel deeply committed to unfinishedness — the characters speak in sentences that trail off, plot points are left to be guessed at or pieced together.

The New York Times - Books

Still Life With Water Jug, painted around 1893 and included in this exhibition, shows Cézanne experimenting with this kind of daring unfinishedness, unafraid of using just a few lines to do no more than suggest a wall at the back of a room.

The Guardian - Arts

There is a deep need in the novelist, contrary to the conventions of their chosen form, to not present a complete picture of a life or an event, not dutifully serve up fleshed-out characters, not explain everything: to do business, aesthetically, with unfinishedness.

The Guardian - Books

Writers such as Robert Barry have argued that the rough-hewn sloppiness of certain strands of independent music creates a "sense of unfinishedness in the sound of the records that cannot help but draw the listener in, inviting them to fill in the blanks with their own imagination".

The Guardian - Books

Somehow, its unfinishedness is all the more disturbing.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His books are, really,celebrations of multiplicity ("My Name IsRed" is told in the voice of 19 narrators ),which makes them celebrations of unfinishedness the mysteries they set up arealways more delicious than any attemptto solve them.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unfinishedness" when you want to emphasize the quality or characteristic of something being incomplete, especially when that incompleteness is a deliberate artistic or philosophical choice.

Common error

Don't use "unfinishedness" merely to describe something that is simply not done yet. Reserve it for situations where the state of being unfinished is significant or intentional.

Linguistic Context

The term "unfinishedness" functions as a noun, denoting the quality or state of being unfinished. It is used to describe the condition of something that is incomplete, often with an emphasis on the significance or intentionality of that state. Ludwig shows the term's usage in describing artistic intent, novelistic form, and philosophical concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfinishedness" is a noun that describes the state or quality of being unfinished, often with a deliberate or significant intent. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's frequently used in the context of art, literature, and philosophical discussions to emphasize the potential or deliberate incompleteness of a work. While grammatically correct, it's important to reserve it for situations where the state of being unfinished holds particular meaning, differentiating it from simple "incompletion". Common sources include news and media, with a neutral register making it accessible across various contexts. Therefore, when aiming to describe the intentional or meaningful lack of completion, "unfinishedness" serves as a precise and appropriate term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incompletion

Direct synonym, focusing on the state of not being complete.

incompleteness

Similar to "incompletion", but can also refer to a lack of essential parts.

lack of completion

More descriptive, emphasizing the absence of a finished state.

state of incompletion

Highlights the condition or situation of not being finished.

absence of finality

Focuses on the lack of a conclusive or settled state.

work in progress

Indicates that something is still being developed or refined.

being unfinished

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the lack of completion.

lack of resolution

Implies that something is unresolved or lacks a clear conclusion.

unperfected state

Highlights the lack of refinement or flawlessness.

initial stage

Focuses on the early phase of a process, where completion is distant.

FAQs

How can I use "unfinishedness" in a sentence?

You can use "unfinishedness" to describe a state of incompleteness, particularly in art or literature, such as: "The beauty of the sculpture lies in its "unfinishedness", which invites the viewer to imagine its completion."

What words are similar to "unfinishedness"?

Similar words include "incompletion", "incompleteness", and "lack of completion", all referring to the state of not being finished.

Is it correct to use "unfinishedness" in formal writing?

Yes, "unfinishedness" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing artistic intent or philosophical concepts related to incompleteness.

What is the difference between "unfinishedness" and "incompleteness"?

"Unfinishedness" often implies a deliberate or meaningful lack of completion, whereas "incompleteness" is a more general term for something not being whole or finished.