was unfinished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was unfinished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been completed or is lacking a final form. Example: "The project was unfinished when the deadline arrived, leaving the team scrambling to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was unfinished business.

The New York Times

Therefore, it was unfinished business.

The Guardian - Music

For Vang Pao, it was unfinished business.

The Economist

When he died, the poem was unfinished.

The New Yorker

So the picture was unfinished.

The New York Times - Books

I felt I was unfinished.

The New Yorker

The enlargement was unfinished, not the original.

The New York Times - Arts

He also said the production was unfinished.

The New York Times - Arts

The script was unfinished and unintelligible.

The New York Times

And yet there was unfinished business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The last basketball book with great access was "Unfinished Business" by Jack McCallum.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was unfinished", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific task or project remained incomplete. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was unfinished" without specifying the degree of incompletion. Vague usage can confuse readers. For example, instead of saying 'The project was unfinished', specify which aspects were not completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was unfinished" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of incompletion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing. Examples show it describing projects, tasks, and even emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Books

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was unfinished" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to describe something incomplete. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media" and other sources attests to its widespread acceptance. When using "was unfinished", clarity is key; ensure the context makes it clear what specifically remained incomplete. Consider alternatives like "remained incomplete" or "was not completed" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not completed

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the lack of completion.

remained incomplete

Indicates a state of not being fully done, differing slightly in emphasis.

was left undone

Focuses on the action of leaving something incomplete.

lacked completion

Highlights the absence of a final stage.

was partially done

Highlights that some work was accomplished but not all.

remained unexecuted

Indicates a plan or task that was never carried out.

was left hanging

Implies a sense of suspension or uncertainty due to incompletion.

was abandoned midway

Emphasizes the act of stopping before finishing.

was still in progress

Suggests ongoing effort but not yet finalized.

was unfulfilled

Emphasizes a lack of satisfaction or realization.

FAQs

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

You can use "was unfinished" to describe something that wasn't completed, like "The painting "was unfinished" when the artist passed away".

What are some alternatives to saying "was unfinished"?

Alternatives include "remained incomplete", "was not completed", or "was left undone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was unfinished"?

Yes, it is correct to say "was unfinished". It's a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something that has not been completed.

What's the difference between "was unfinished" and "remained incomplete"?

"Was unfinished" is a more general term, while "remained incomplete" emphasizes the state of incompletion persisted over time.