work to be completed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work to be completed" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to talk about work that still needs to be done or tasks that haven't yet been finished. For example, "We need to finish the project by the end of the week, so everyone needs to focus on the work to be completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Among the post-storm work to be completed, rooms will be redone.

The New York Times - Travel

The plan, according to locals, is for much of the work to be completed by summer.

The Guardian - Travel

Although the building is open for business, there is still work to be completed.

The Guardian - Arts

They are planning for all work to be completed by February 28 , 2018

Cornell University

The GGF will arrange for the work to be completed or return your deposit up to £2,500.

The Guardian - Money

She said the most recent timetable called for the work to be completed in "midfall of this year".

The New York Times

Direct Line's loss adjuster instructed us to move out of our house for the remedial work to be completed.

The Guardian - Money

His new building for the Denver Art Museum, which opens this fall, is his first American work to be completed.

The New Yorker

I'm no expert on such matters, but there certainly does appear a great deal of work to be completed before then.

The Guardian - Sport

A spokeswoman said the agency expected the work to be completed "in the next few days" but could not guarantee it would be completed by Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

They settled on a contract for $80,000 of work, to be completed within 180 days from the start of construction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying deadlines, follow "work to be completed" with a clear timeframe (e.g., "work to be completed by Friday") to ensure clarity and accountability.

Common error

While "work to be completed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound vague. Prefer active constructions when possible for direct and impactful communication. For example, instead of "The work needs to be completed by the team", consider "The team needs to complete the work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work to be completed" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or subject complement. It identifies tasks, assignments, or projects that are in a state of incompleteness. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in indicating required actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work to be completed" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to unfinished tasks or projects, as validated by Ludwig. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, using the active voice and providing clear timeframes can improve clarity. Alternatives like "pending work" or "outstanding tasks" can add variety. Ludwig's examples underscore its widespread use and acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pending work

Emphasizes the work that is currently awaiting completion.

outstanding tasks

Highlights tasks that are still undone or unresolved.

tasks remaining

Focuses on the unfinished tasks.

jobs to finish

Focuses on specific jobs that require completion.

uncompleted assignments

Signifies assignments that have not been completed.

unfinished business

Implies incomplete tasks or projects that need resolution.

remaining duties

Highlights the duties that are still needed to be done.

work in progress

Describes work that is currently underway but not yet finished.

projects underway

Highlights that some projects are initiated but still require completion.

to-do list

Refers to the tasks that someone needs to accomplish.

FAQs

How can I use "work to be completed" in a sentence?

You can use "work to be completed" to refer to tasks that are yet to be finished. For example, "The project manager outlined the "tasks remaining", emphasizing the "work to be completed" before the deadline.".

What are some alternatives to "work to be completed"?

Alternatives include "pending work", "outstanding tasks", or "unfinished business" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "work to be completed" or "work to complete"?

"Work to be completed" emphasizes that the work still needs to be done, while "work to complete" is less common and can sound awkward. Using "work to be completed" is generally preferable for clarity.

What's the difference between "work to be completed" and "work in progress"?

"Work to be completed" refers to all the tasks that remain, while "work in progress" specifically indicates tasks that are currently underway but not yet finished. The first emphasizes what needs to be done, while the second describes the current state.