very incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is lacking essential parts or details. Example: "The report was very incomplete, missing key data and analysis that were crucial for the final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The announcement was very incomplete.

The Economist

It's a very incomplete way.

The New York Times

But the book felt very incomplete.

The Guardian - Books

"Without that you will be a very incomplete musician".

The New York Times - Arts

The catalog of Earth's biodiversity is very incomplete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Smolin called it, "very interesting and also very incomplete".

The New York Times - Science

Making comparisons to other giant sauropods is difficult as the biggest ones are all very incomplete.

The Guardian

The specimens of the biggest dinosaurs we know of are very incomplete.

The Guardian

I keep a list, very incomplete, of those who are creeping towards it.

The Economist

Since it is so short, at six seconds or less, it feels very incomplete if it doesn't loop" he said.

The New Yorker

In addition, the panel in Microsoft II recognized that it was dealing with a very incomplete factual record.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a report, plan, or dataset as "very incomplete", specify the missing components to provide a clearer understanding of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "very incomplete" without providing context. Instead of stating "the information is very incomplete", explain what specific information is missing or unreliable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very incomplete" functions as an intensifier (very) followed by an adjective (incomplete). It modifies a noun or concept, indicating that it lacks essential elements or is not fully realized. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase accurately describes a state of deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very incomplete" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is significantly lacking or deficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "very incomplete", it's important to provide specific details about what is missing to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "highly insufficient" or "significantly lacking" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. This phrase serves to communicate that something is not fully realized or satisfactory due to missing essential elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly insufficient

Emphasizes the inadequacy or lack of something to meet a requirement.

significantly lacking

Highlights the notable absence or deficiency of something.

extremely deficient

Stresses a severe shortage or imperfection.

seriously inadequate

Indicates a grave level of insufficiency or unsuitability.

quite fragmentary

Focuses on the broken or disconnected nature of something.

largely unfinished

Emphasizes the uncompleted state of something.

distinctly imperfect

Highlights the noticeable flaws or shortcomings.

patently defective

Stresses the obvious and apparent flaws or faults.

obviously truncated

Focuses on the state of being cut short or abbreviated.

remarkably sketchy

Indicates a lack of detail or thoroughness.

FAQs

How can I use "very incomplete" in a sentence?

You can use "very incomplete" to describe something that lacks essential parts or details. For example, "The investigation was "very incomplete", and several key witnesses were not interviewed."

What are some alternatives to "very incomplete"?

Alternatives include "highly insufficient", "significantly lacking", or "extremely deficient" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "very incomplete" or "incomplete"?

"Very incomplete" emphasizes the degree of incompleteness. Whether it's better depends on the context and desired emphasis. "Incomplete" is generally suitable, but "very incomplete" adds intensity.

What's the difference between "very incomplete" and "partially complete"?

"Very incomplete" suggests that much is missing, while "partially complete" indicates that some progress has been made but significant work remains. The former is more negative than the latter.