woefully incomplete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "woefully incomplete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly lacking or insufficient in detail or content. Example: "The report submitted by the team was woefully incomplete, missing several key sections that were crucial for understanding the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Traditional thinking about strategy is woefully incomplete," according to the authors of an article in the current issue of MIT Sloan Management Review.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But this traditional definition is woefully incomplete.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And the benefit estimates are woefully incomplete.

The Washington Post

But I worry that the list of issues that dominated the election season was woefully incomplete.

The New York Times

Trump's facts were pretty accurate, for once, but they were woefully incomplete.

The New Yorker

Though successful, the model is woefully incomplete, accounting for only 4% of the known universe.

The Guardian

The Board of Pardons and Parole released Mr. Komisarjevsky despite having woefully incomplete information.

The New York Times

Others attack tests as woefully incomplete measures of learning, blind to all varieties of creative thinking.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, it has become clear that our understanding of just why these biologically-inspired models work is woefully incomplete.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Strachman argued in court papers that the descriptions of Palestinian finances had been "woefully incomplete and frankly disingenuous".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Speaker Rendon says that SB 562 is 'woefully incomplete.' California State Senate Republicans agree," Senate Republican Leader Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Nigel) said in a statement.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "woefully incomplete" to express strong criticism or dissatisfaction with the level of incompleteness. Avoid using it in neutral or complimentary contexts.

Common error

Be cautious about using "woefully incomplete" when the deficiency is minor or easily rectified. Overstating the severity can weaken your credibility. Instead, consider using less dramatic terms such as "somewhat incomplete" or "partially incomplete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "woefully incomplete" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, modifying a noun or concept to emphasize its significant lack of completeness. Ludwig's examples show that it typically expresses a strong negative judgment about the state of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "woefully incomplete" is a frequently used phrase to describe something that is severely lacking, insufficient, or inadequate. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia and science. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation, expressing criticism or concern about the degree of incompleteness. While versatile, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants such a strong assessment. Alternatives such as "grossly incomplete" or "terribly incomplete" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is a powerful tool for expressing strong dissatisfaction with the state of affairs when something is significantly deficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grossly incomplete

Emphasizes a large degree of incompleteness, bordering on unacceptable.

terribly incomplete

Highlights the severely deficient nature of something, implying a negative impact.

sadly incomplete

Adds a sense of disappointment or regret to the incompleteness.

utterly incomplete

Stresses the absolute and total lack of completeness.

pathetically incomplete

Implies a contemptible or inadequate level of completeness.

deficient in crucial aspects

Focuses on the lack of essential elements, making it incomplete.

significantly lacking

Highlights a notable absence of necessary components.

far from comprehensive

Indicates that something is a considerable distance from being complete or thorough.

substantially lacking detail

Stresses the absence of important particulars.

remarkably sketchy

Focuses on the superficial or underdeveloped nature of something incomplete.

FAQs

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

You can use "woefully incomplete" to describe something that is significantly lacking or insufficient. For example: "The data provided was "woefully incomplete", making analysis difficult."

What are some alternatives to "woefully incomplete"?

Alternatives include "grossly incomplete", "terribly incomplete", or "sadly incomplete", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "woefully incomplete" in formal writing?

Yes, "woefully incomplete" is suitable for formal writing when you need to express a strong sense of deficiency or lack. However, ensure that the tone is appropriate for the context.

What's the difference between "woefully incomplete" and "partially incomplete"?

"Woefully incomplete" implies a severe degree of incompleteness that is deeply unsatisfactory. "Partially incomplete", on the other hand, suggests a lesser degree of incompleteness that may be acceptable or easily remedied.