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B1 adjective #6 más común 13 min de lectura

undone

Top 6

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos undone en 30 segundos

Explicación undone in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'undone' is a word you might see when talking about clothes. It means something is not closed or tied. For example, if your shoe is 'undone', the string is loose and you might trip. If a button is 'undone', it is not in the hole. It is a simple word to describe things that need to be fixed or closed. You can think of it as the opposite of 'closed' or 'tied'. It is very helpful when you want to tell someone their backpack is open or their jacket is not zipped. You use it with the verb 'is' or 'are'. For example: 'Your shoelace is undone.' It is a useful word for daily life and basic descriptions of what you see. You don't need to worry about the difficult meanings yet. Just focus on clothes and strings. When you see 'un-' at the start of a word, it often means 'not' or 'the opposite'. So 'undone' is the opposite of 'done' (finished or closed). It is a good word to learn early because it helps you help others by pointing out things that need to be fixed. Remember to use it for things like buttons, laces, and zippers. It is a friendly and helpful word to know.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'undone' for more than just clothes. You can use it for simple tasks that you have not finished. For example, if you have homework and you didn't do it, you can say the homework is 'undone'. It means the work is still there, waiting for you. It is also common to use the phrase 'come undone'. This means something was closed, but now it is open. For example, 'The knot came undone.' This is a bit more advanced than just saying 'is undone' because it describes a change. You might also hear it in simple stories. For example, 'The box came undone and the toys fell out.' It is a very descriptive word that helps you explain why something is not working or why something is messy. You can also use it to talk about packages or bags. If you are traveling and your suitcase opens by mistake, you can say it 'came undone'. It is a versatile word for describing small problems in daily life. Just remember that it usually describes a state—how something looks right now. It is not an action you do, but a way to describe something that has already happened. It is a great addition to your vocabulary for describing household situations and school work.

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At the B1 level, you should understand that 'undone' has two main meanings: physical and abstract. Physically, it describes unfastened items like buttons or laces. Abstractly, it describes tasks or obligations that are not completed. You will often see it in the phrase 'left undone'. For example, 'There were many tasks left undone at the end of the day.' This sounds more professional and formal than just saying 'not finished'. You might also encounter it in slightly more emotional contexts, like a plan that 'comes undone'. This means the plan failed or stopped working. At this level, you should be able to choose between 'undone' and 'unfinished' based on the context. 'Undone' often implies a sense of duty or a reversal of progress. For instance, if a law is changed back to how it was before, you could say the previous progress was 'undone'. It is a powerful word for discussing setbacks. You should also be comfortable using it with different linking verbs like 'remain', 'stay', or 'become'. This shows a higher level of grammatical control. Understanding the nuance of 'undone' helps you express more complex ideas about work, responsibility, and the failure of systems or plans. It is a key word for moving from basic to intermediate English.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'undone' with more precision and in a wider variety of contexts, including formal and literary ones. You should be familiar with the more dramatic meaning: being emotionally or socially ruined. While you might not use 'I am undone' in a casual chat, you should recognize it in books or movies as a sign of deep distress. You should also understand its use in professional settings to describe the nullification of agreements or the reversal of complex processes. For example, 'The years of negotiation were undone by a single diplomatic blunder.' This usage highlights the 'reversal' aspect of the word. You should also be aware of common collocations like 'completely undone', 'largely undone', or 'partially undone'. At this level, you can use 'undone' to add variety to your writing, especially when 'unfinished' feels too simple. It is also useful for describing the breakdown of social order or personal composure. For instance, 'The witness's testimony left the defense's case completely undone.' This shows you understand how 'undone' can apply to abstract structures like legal arguments. Mastery of this word at B2 involves knowing when to use its literal meaning and when its figurative power is more appropriate for the tone of your communication.

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the subtle rhetorical power of 'undone'. It is a word that can convey a sense of tragic inevitability or systematic failure. In sophisticated writing, 'undone' is often used to describe the unraveling of complex entities—be they political alliances, psychological states, or intricate scientific theories. You should be able to use it to describe a 'reversal of fortune' with elegance. For example, 'The protagonist was undone not by his enemies, but by his own hubris.' This demonstrates an understanding of the word's literary heritage. You should also be able to navigate the double-negative structures where 'undone' often appears, such as 'leaving no task undone' or 'nothing was left undone', which emphasizes total thoroughness. Furthermore, at this level, you should be sensitive to the word's register. You know that 'undone' can sound archaic or poetic in some contexts, and you use that to your advantage to create a specific mood in your writing or speech. You might also use it in technical discussions to describe the state of a system that has been reverted to a previous, perhaps less stable, configuration. Your use of 'undone' should reflect a deep understanding of its history as a past participle and its current role as a versatile, evocative adjective.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'undone' should be near-native, encompassing its most obscure and nuanced applications. You understand its etymological roots and how its meaning has shifted from a simple physical reversal to a profound existential state. You can use 'undone' to describe the 'unweaving' of reality or the dissolution of identity in philosophical or highly creative contexts. For instance, you might discuss how a character's sense of self is 'undone' by a traumatic revelation, using the word to suggest a fundamental structural collapse. You are also adept at using it in high-level legal or political analysis to describe the 'unmaking' of treaties or social contracts, where 'undone' implies a more organic or chaotic process than 'repealed' or 'annulled'. You can play with the word's ambiguity, using it in titles or metaphors where it could refer to both a physical state and an emotional one simultaneously. Your command of 'undone' allows you to use it as a precise tool for irony, pathos, or clinical description. You recognize its presence in the works of Shakespeare, Milton, and modern masters, and you can mirror that sophistication in your own output. At this level, 'undone' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a versatile instrument for expressing the complex interplay between doing, unfastening, and the eventual dissolution of all things.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

undone en 30 segundos

Undone describes something that is not fastened, such as a loose shoelace or an unbuttoned shirt.
It also refers to tasks, chores, or projects that have not been completed or were left unfinished.
In a more dramatic sense, it can mean that a person is emotionally overwhelmed or socially ruined.
It often implies a reversal of a previous state, like a knot coming loose or a plan failing.

The word undone is a versatile adjective that primarily functions in two distinct spheres of meaning: the physical and the abstract. In its most literal sense, it describes something that has been unfastened, untied, or opened. Think of a shoelace that has come loose during a run, or a button that has slipped out of its hole. This physical application is common in everyday descriptions of clothing, packaging, or mechanical fasteners. When you notice your zipper is down, you might say it is undone. This usage is straightforward and often implies a state of being 'open' that was previously 'closed' or 'secured'.

Physical State: Refers to items like knots, buttons, laces, or bolts that are no longer secured. It suggests a reversal of a previous action of fastening.

Beyond the physical, undone carries a significant weight in the realm of tasks and objectives. Here, it serves as a synonym for 'unfinished' or 'incomplete'. If you leave the office with several reports still on your desk, your work remains undone. This nuance is particularly common in professional and academic settings where progress is tracked. It often carries a slight connotation of neglect or a pending obligation. Unlike 'unfinished', which can sometimes sound neutral, undone can imply that the work *should* have been completed but wasn't.

The heavy rain caused the garden gate to swing wide, its latch having come undone in the storm.

In a more dramatic or literary sense, undone describes a person who has been emotionally overwhelmed or socially ruined. If a secret is revealed that destroys someone's reputation, they might cry out, 'I am undone!' While this usage is less common in modern casual conversation, you will encounter it frequently in classic literature, theater, and period dramas. It suggests a total loss of composure or status. This emotional depth makes the word much more powerful than its simple physical definition might suggest.

Emotional Ruin: A state of being overwhelmed by grief, shock, or social disgrace. It implies a person's life or composure has 'fallen apart'.

Seeing the devastation of her childhood home, she felt completely undone by the memories.

Finally, the word is used in technical or logical contexts to describe an action that has been reversed. In computing, while we usually use the verb 'undo', the resulting state of the document or file is that the changes are undone. This highlights the word's nature as a past participle functioning as an adjective. It signifies a return to a previous state, emphasizing the cancellation of a prior effort. Whether it's a knot, a project, or a person's spirit, undone always points to a lack of completion or a reversal of security.

The progress we made on the peace treaty was quickly undone by the sudden outbreak of border skirmishes.

Reversal of Progress: When an achievement or a settled agreement is nullified or returned to its original, often problematic, state.

He walked three blocks before realizing his backpack was undone and his books were falling out.

No matter how hard I try, there is always some housework left undone at the end of the day.

Using undone correctly requires an understanding of its role as an adjective derived from a verb. It typically follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', 'stay', or 'remain'. For example, 'The knot is undone' or 'The work remains undone'. It can also be used as a post-positive adjective, appearing immediately after the noun it modifies, especially in phrases like 'work left undone' or 'business left undone'. This placement emphasizes the state of the noun rather than just describing it.

Common Sentence Structure: [Subject] + [Linking Verb] + undone. (e.g., 'The package came undone during shipping.')

When describing clothing, undone is often paired with specific items like buttons, zippers, or laces. It is important to note that 'undone' describes the *state*, while 'undoing' describes the *action*. If you are currently unbuttoning your coat, you are 'undoing' it. Once it is unbuttoned, it *is* undone. This distinction is vital for learners to avoid confusion between active processes and resulting conditions. In formal writing, using 'undone' to describe unfinished tasks adds a touch of sophistication compared to the more common 'unfinished'.

She noticed that the top button of her blouse had come undone during the presentation.

In the emotional or figurative sense, the word is often used with the verb 'to feel' or 'to be'. 'He felt undone by the news' suggests a deep, internal collapse. This usage is highly evocative and should be reserved for situations of significant impact. You wouldn't say you feel 'undone' because you missed a bus; you would use it if you lost a lifelong dream. It carries a sense of finality and profound vulnerability. In literature, it is a favorite for expressing the tragic downfall of a hero.

Figurative Usage: Often used with 'by' to indicate the cause of the emotional state. (e.g., 'undone by grief', 'undone by the scandal').

The detective's careful work was undone by a single piece of contaminated evidence.

Another interesting way to use undone is in the phrase 'leave no stone unturned' or similar expressions of thoroughness, where 'undone' represents the opposite—neglect. 'I cannot leave this work undone' emphasizes a sense of duty. It is also used in the negative to express completion: 'Nothing was left undone'. This double-negative structure is a powerful way to convey that every possible action was taken. It is common in military or high-stakes project management contexts.

With the deadline approaching, the team worked through the night to ensure no task was left undone.

The 'Left Undone' Pattern: Commonly used to describe things that were forgotten or ignored. (e.g., 'chores left undone', 'words left undone').

The mystery remained undone for decades until new DNA evidence came to light.

His shoelaces were undone, causing him to trip on the stairs.

In modern daily life, you are most likely to hear undone in casual observations about appearance. A friend might point out that your tie is undone or that a strap on your bag has come undone. It is a helpful, descriptive word that quickly communicates a need for adjustment. In these contexts, it is neutral and helpful. You might also hear it in a household setting, where parents remind children not to leave their chores undone before they go out to play. Here, it carries a slight tone of authority and expectation.

Daily Life: Commonly used for clothing, knots, and simple household tasks that were forgotten.

In the professional world, undone appears in project post-mortems or status updates. A manager might note that certain aspects of a marketing campaign were left undone due to budget cuts. In this environment, the word sounds slightly more formal and serious than 'unfinished'. It suggests a gap in the expected workflow. You will also find it in legal or contractual discussions, where an agreement might be undone by a breach of contract. This implies a formal nullification of a previous legal state, which is a very specific and serious application.

The merger was undone when the regulatory board found evidence of monopolistic practices.

Literature and cinema are rich sources for the more dramatic uses of undone. In Shakespearean plays, characters often lament being 'undone' by betrayal or fate. In modern movies, a villain's plan might be undone by a small, overlooked detail. This usage highlights the 'reversal' aspect of the word—all the effort put into a plan is suddenly canceled out. If you enjoy period dramas like 'Downton Abbey' or 'Bridgerton', listen for characters using undone to describe their social ruin or emotional distress. It adds a layer of historical flavor and high stakes to the dialogue.

Media & Literature: Used to describe the failure of complex plans or the emotional collapse of dramatic characters.

'Alas, I am undone!' cried the knight as his sword shattered against the dragon's scales.

In news reporting, you might hear about political progress being undone by new legislation. This is a common way for journalists to describe a setback. It frames the situation as a step backward, which is a powerful rhetorical device. Similarly, in sports, a team's lead can be undone by a series of errors in the final minutes. Here, it emphasizes how quickly success can vanish. Whether in a locker room or a newsroom, undone is the go-to word for describing a significant reversal of fortune.

The athlete's record-breaking run was undone by a positive drug test months later.

News & Sports: Describes the nullification of achievements, records, or political advancements.

She left the meeting feeling that all her hard work had been undone by the CEO's new directive.

The ribbon on the gift came undone before he could even present it.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing undone with 'unfinished'. While they are often synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. 'Unfinished' is a general term for anything not yet completed. Undone, however, often implies that something was *once* done or secured and has now been reversed, or it refers specifically to tasks that were *expected* to be finished. For example, you would say a painting is 'unfinished' if the artist is still working on it, but you might say a chore is 'undone' if it was neglected. Using undone for a creative work in progress can sound slightly unnatural.

Undone vs. Unfinished: Use 'unfinished' for things in progress. Use 'undone' for things neglected or reversed.

Another mistake is using undone as a verb in the present tense. Remember, undone is an adjective or the past participle. You cannot say 'I undone the knot'. The correct verb form is 'I *undid* the knot' (past) or 'I am *undoing* the knot' (present continuous). This is a common slip-up because the word looks so much like a verb. Always check if you are describing a state (adjective) or an action (verb). If you are describing the state of your shoes, 'undone' is perfect. If you are describing what you did to them, use 'undid'.

Incorrect: I undone my seatbelt.
Correct: My seatbelt is undone. / I undid my seatbelt.

Learners also sometimes over-apply the 'emotional ruin' meaning. While it is a powerful word, using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. If you tell a coworker you are 'undone' because the coffee machine is broken, they might think you are joking or being a 'drama queen'. Reserve this specific meaning for truly life-altering or deeply upsetting events to maintain its impact. In casual settings, 'stressed' or 'upset' are usually better choices.

Register Awareness: The emotional meaning is high-register (formal/literary). Avoid it in casual, low-stakes situations.

The whole project was undone by a simple coding error that no one noticed.

Finally, be careful with the phrase 'come undone'. While it literally means to become unfastened, it is also the title of several famous songs and a common idiom for 'falling apart' mentally. In a professional email, saying a plan has 'come undone' is fine, but saying a person has 'come undone' might be seen as too personal or informal. Always consider the subject of the sentence. Objects 'come undone' physically; plans 'come undone' logically; people 'come undone' emotionally.

The parcel arrived with the wrapping completely undone.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the subject matches the intended meaning (physical vs. figurative).

She felt her composure coming undone as the questions became more aggressive.

Don't leave the gate undone, or the dog will escape.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a similar space with undone. For the physical meaning of 'unfastened', you might use untied, unbuttoned, unzipped, or loose. These are more specific and can often provide a clearer picture. If you say your shoes are 'untied', it is more precise than saying they are 'undone'. Use undone when you want a general term or when the specific method of fastening isn't the focus.

Physical Alternatives: Untied (for strings), Unbuttoned (for buttons), Unzipped (for zippers), Unlatched (for gates/doors).

For the meaning of 'unfinished', alternatives include incomplete, pending, outstanding, or unresolved. 'Outstanding' is particularly useful in financial contexts (e.g., 'outstanding debts'), while 'unresolved' is great for mysteries or conflicts. Undone is unique here because it often carries a sense of 'work that was supposed to be finished but wasn't', adding a layer of responsibility or regret that 'incomplete' lacks.

The project was left undone after the lead developer resigned unexpectedly.

In the figurative sense of 'ruined', you could use destroyed, shattered, devastated, or wrecked. These words are often more common in modern speech. However, undone has a specific nuance of 'coming apart at the seams'. It suggests a structural failure of character or plan, rather than just an external blow. It is a more 'internal' kind of ruin. If a plan is 'shattered', it sounds like it was hit by something; if it is 'undone', it sounds like it failed from within or was systematically reversed.

Figurative Comparisons: 'Devastated' is more emotional; 'Undone' is more structural/social ruin. 'Failed' is neutral; 'Undone' implies a reversal of previous success.

Her confidence was undone by the constant criticism of her peers.

Finally, consider the word nullified or voided for legal contexts. While undone is used, these terms are more precise in a courtroom. However, in a news headline, 'The Deal was Undone' is much catchier and more dramatic than 'The Deal was Nullified'. This shows how undone bridges the gap between technical accuracy and evocative storytelling. It is a word that works well in both a report and a poem.

Years of diplomatic effort were undone in a single afternoon of heated rhetoric.

Summary of Alternatives: Physical: Unfastened. Task: Unfinished. Emotional: Ruined. Legal: Nullified.

The knot was so tight that it seemed impossible it would ever come undone.

He left no task undone in his quest for perfection.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Jerga

Dato curioso

The word has been used in English for over a thousand years. Its use to mean 'ruined' was very popular in the 16th century, especially in plays.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /ʌnˈdʌn/

US /ʌnˈdʌn/

Second syllable (un-DONE)

Rima con

begun fun gun none run sun ton won

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like 'un-doon'.
Putting the stress on the first syllable.
Confusing it with the verb 'undid'.
Mumbling the 'n' sound at the end.
Pronouncing the 'o' in 'done' like 'bone'.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, though literary meanings are harder.

Escritura 3/5

Requires care to distinguish from 'unfinished' and 'undid'.

Expresión oral 2/5

Very common in daily life for clothing.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to hear.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

done do finish open tie

Aprende después

unravel nullify incomplete reversal composure

Avanzado

ontological hegemony dissolution nullification participial

Gramática que debes saber

Prefix 'un-'

undone, unhappy, unusual

Past Participles as Adjectives

The window is broken. The work is undone.

Linking Verbs

He became undone. It remains undone.

Post-positive Adjectives

Tasks left undone.

Passive Voice Reversal

The knot was undone by the child.

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Ejemplos por nivel

Your shoelace is undone.

Tu cordón está desatado.

Subject + is + undone.

Is your jacket undone?

¿Tu chaqueta está desabrochada?

Question form with 'is'.

The button on my shirt is undone.

El botón de mi camisa está desabrochado.

Used for clothing items.

The dog's collar came undone.

El collar del perro se soltó.

Verb 'came' + undone.

My backpack is undone.

Mi mochila está abierta.

Describes an open container.

The ribbon is undone.

La cinta está desatada.

Simple adjective use.

Why is your belt undone?

¿Por qué tu cinturón está desabrochado?

Interrogative sentence.

The knot is undone now.

El nudo está desatado ahora.

Adverb 'now' used for current state.

I left my homework undone.

Dejé mi tarea sin hacer.

Verb 'left' + object + undone.

The gate came undone in the wind.

La puerta se abrió con el viento.

Describes a physical reversal.

Don't leave the chores undone.

No dejes los quehaceres sin hacer.

Imperative sentence.

The parcel was undone when it arrived.

El paquete estaba abierto cuando llegó.

Passive voice 'was undone'.

The knot was too loose and came undone.

El nudo estaba muy flojo y se desató.

Cause and effect structure.

He had many things left undone.

Él tenía muchas cosas pendientes.

Post-positive adjective.

The zipper came undone suddenly.

La cremallera se abrió de repente.

Adverb 'suddenly' modifies the change.

Is the work still undone?

¿El trabajo sigue sin hacerse?

Adverb 'still' emphasizes duration.

The agreement was undone by a misunderstanding.

El acuerdo se deshizo por un malentendido.

Abstract use: reversal of a state.

She felt completely undone by the sad news.

Se sintió completamente destrozada por la triste noticia.

Emotional use: overwhelmed.

Much of the progress has been undone recently.

Gran parte del progreso se ha deshecho recientemente.

Present perfect passive.

He left no task undone during the project.

No dejó ninguna tarea sin hacer durante el proyecto.

Double negative for emphasis.

The mystery remains undone after all these years.

El misterio sigue sin resolverse después de todos estos años.

Linking verb 'remains'.

The peace treaty was quickly undone by the war.

El tratado de paz se deshizo rápidamente por la guerra.

Adverb 'quickly' modifies the reversal.

Her hair came undone in the rain.

Su peinado se deshizo bajo la lluvia.

Physical reversal of a style.

The stitches in the wound came undone.

Los puntos de la herida se soltaron.

Technical/medical physical use.

The candidate's reputation was undone by the scandal.

La reputación del candidato se arruinó por el escándalo.

Figurative: social ruin.

The intricate plan was undone by a single mistake.

El intrincado plan se vino abajo por un solo error.

Reversal of a complex structure.

He was undone by his own ambition.

Fue arruinado por su propia ambición.

Literary/thematic use.

The reforms were largely undone by the next government.

Las reformas fueron deshechas en gran parte por el siguiente gobierno.

Adverb 'largely' indicates degree.

The knot of the problem remained undone.

El nudo del problema permaneció sin resolver.

Metaphorical use of 'knot'.

She was undone by the sheer beauty of the landscape.

Quedó abrumada por la pura belleza del paisaje.

Positive emotional overwhelm.

The deal was undone when the funding fell through.

El trato se deshizo cuando la financiación falló.

Business/legal context.

His composure was completely undone by her presence.

Su compostura se desmoronó por completo por su presencia.

Psychological state.

The delicate balance of the ecosystem was undone by pollution.

El delicado equilibrio del ecosistema fue destruido por la contaminación.

Scientific/Environmental context.

Years of research were undone by the discovery of the flaw.

Años de investigación fueron invalidados por el descubrimiento del fallo.

Intellectual/Academic reversal.

The social fabric of the city was being undone by poverty.

El tejido social de la ciudad estaba siendo deshecho por la pobreza.

Sociological metaphor.

He felt himself being undone by the weight of his secrets.

Sentía que se desmoronaba por el peso de sus secretos.

Existential/Psychological depth.

The legal precedent was undone by the Supreme Court's ruling.

El precedente legal fue anulado por el fallo de la Corte Suprema.

Formal legal reversal.

The artist's vision was undone by the commercial demands of the studio.

La visión del artista fue arruinada por las demandas comerciales del estudio.

Conflict between art and commerce.

Nothing was left undone in the preparation for the summit.

No se dejó nada sin hacer en la preparación para la cumbre.

High-level administrative thoroughness.

The silence of the night was undone by a sudden scream.

El silencio de la noche fue roto por un grito repentino.

Poetic/Literary description.

The ontological certainty of the era was undone by the new philosophy.

La certeza ontológica de la era fue deshecha por la nueva filosofía.

Philosophical/Academic register.

The treaty's intricate clauses were undone by a single ambiguous comma.

Las intrincadas cláusulas del tratado fueron invalidadas por una sola coma ambigua.

Extreme precision in reversal.

She watched as the carefully constructed narrative of her life was undone.

Observó cómo se deshacía la narrativa cuidadosamente construida de su vida.

Metaphorical dissolution of identity.

The hegemony of the empire was slowly undone by internal corruption.

La hegemonía del imperio fue lentamente deshecha por la corrupción interna.

Historical/Political analysis.

The silence was so profound it felt as if time itself had been undone.

El silencio era tan profundo que parecía que el tiempo mismo se hubiera deshecho.

Abstract/Metaphysical use.

His legacy was undone by the posthumous publication of his diaries.

Su legado fue arruinado por la publicación póstuma de sus diarios.

Social/Historical reversal.

The structural integrity of the bridge was undone by microscopic fissures.

La integridad estructural del puente fue comprometida por fisuras microscópicas.

Technical/Engineering precision.

The spell was undone by the first light of dawn.

El hechizo se deshizo con la primera luz del alba.

Mythological/Fantasy register.

Colocaciones comunes

come undone

left undone

completely undone

largely undone

shoelaces undone

button undone

feel undone

quickly undone

remain undone

easily undone

Frases Comunes

leave nothing undone

— To be extremely thorough and complete every possible task.

The investigators left nothing undone in their search for the truth.

come undone at the seams

— To fail completely or to lose emotional control.

The company started coming undone at the seams after the CEO left.

what's done cannot be undone

— A proverb meaning you cannot change the past.

I regret what I said, but what's done cannot be undone.

business left undone

— Tasks or matters that still need to be addressed.

He returned to the city to settle some business left undone.

tie up loose ends left undone

— To finish the final small parts of a project.

We need one more week to tie up the ends left undone.

an undone tie

— A necktie that is not knotted, often looking casual or messy.

He arrived at the party with an undone tie and a tired smile.

chores left undone

— Household tasks that were not completed.

The children were punished for leaving their chores undone.

work remains undone

— The job is still not finished.

Despite our efforts, much work remains undone.

a knot undone

— A tie or fastening that has been loosened.

With the knot undone, the rope fell to the floor.

feel oneself come undone

— To feel like one is losing emotional composure.

She felt herself come undone as she watched the old film.

Se confunde a menudo con

undone vs unfinished

Unfinished is for things in progress; undone is for things neglected or reversed.

undone vs undid

Undid is the past tense verb (action); undone is the adjective (state).

undone vs loose

Loose means not tight; undone means not fastened at all.

Modismos y expresiones

"come undone"

— To fall apart, fail, or lose emotional control.

His carefully planned life began to come undone.

informal/neutral

"be undone by something"

— To be ruined or defeated by a specific cause.

The king was undone by his own greed.

literary

"leave no stone unturned (and no task undone)"

— To do everything possible to achieve a goal.

They left no stone unturned and no task undone.

formal

"the undoing of someone"

— The cause of someone's failure or ruin.

Pride was the undoing of the young athlete.

neutral

"what is done is done (and cannot be undone)"

— You must accept the past because it cannot be changed.

Don't worry about the mistake; what's done is done.

neutral

"at loose ends (and things undone)"

— Having nothing specific to do and leaving things messy.

He was at loose ends with all his projects left undone.

informal

"unraveling and undone"

— A state of total collapse or failure.

The organization was unraveling and undone by the scandal.

literary

"left undone"

— Neglected or forgotten.

Many promises were left undone by the politician.

neutral

"completely undone"

— Totally ruined or overwhelmed.

I was completely undone by the beauty of the opera.

neutral

"undone by a thread"

— Failing because of a very small, weak point.

The whole case was undone by a thread of evidence.

metaphorical

Fácil de confundir

undone vs unfinished

Both mean not complete.

Unfinished is neutral; undone implies it should have been finished or was once finished.

An unfinished painting vs. chores left undone.

undone vs undid

They look similar.

Undid is a verb (I undid the knot); undone is an adjective (The knot is undone).

I undid my laces because they were undone.

undone vs unfastened

Both mean not closed.

Unfastened is more technical and specific to fasteners; undone is more general.

The belt was unfastened.

undone vs incomplete

Both mean not whole.

Incomplete is often used for sets or data; undone is for tasks or physical ties.

An incomplete set of cards.

undone vs ruined

Both can mean a person is in trouble.

Ruined is more common and broad; undone is more literary and structural.

He was ruined by the fire.

Patrones de oraciones

Your [clothing] is undone.

Your shoelace is undone.

The [object] came undone.

The knot came undone.

[Task] was left undone.

The homework was left undone.

I feel undone by [cause].

I feel undone by the news.

Nothing was left undone.

Nothing was left undone in the search.

The [abstract concept] was undone by [cause].

The hegemony was undone by corruption.

It remains undone.

The mystery remains undone.

To be undone by one's own [trait].

He was undone by his own pride.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in daily speech for clothes; moderately common in professional writing; rare but powerful in emotional contexts.

Errores comunes

I undone my shoes. → I undid my shoes.
You used the adjective instead of the past tense verb. 'Undid' is the action.
The work is unfinished undone. → The work is undone.
Don't use both words together. Choose one based on the context.
I feel undone because I lost my pen. → I'm annoyed because I lost my pen.
'Undone' is too dramatic for losing a pen. Use it for bigger emotional problems.
The cake is undone. → The cake is underdone.
For food that isn't cooked enough, 'underdone' is the correct term.
He is a very undone person. → He is a very disorganized person.
'Undone' describes a state, not a personality trait.

Consejos

Adjective vs. Verb

Always remember that 'undone' describes a state. If you need to describe the action of opening something, use 'undo' or 'undid'.

Use for Clothing

It's the perfect word for buttons, laces, and zippers. It's more natural than saying 'open' for these items.

Formal Tasks

In business emails, use 'tasks left undone' to sound professional and thorough.

Polite Correction

Saying 'Excuse me, your shoelace is undone' is a very helpful and polite way to assist someone.

Literary Context

When reading classic books, watch for 'undone' to mean 'ruined'. It adds a lot of drama to the story.

Catch the Stress

Focus on the second syllable. The 'DONE' part is the most important for understanding the word.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use 'undone' for every unfinished thing. Use 'unfinished' for creative works like books or paintings.

The 'Un-' Prefix

Remember that 'un-' means 'not'. So 'undone' is simply 'not done' or 'the opposite of done'.

Idiomatic Failure

Use 'come undone' when describing a plan that failed completely. It's a very expressive phrase.

Daily Check

Check your own clothes and to-do list. Is anything 'undone'? Saying it out loud helps you remember.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'UN-DONE' as 'UN-finished' or 'UN-tied'. If it's not 'DONE', it's 'UNDONE'.

Asociación visual

Imagine a pair of sneakers with long, messy laces dragging on the floor. That is 'undone'.

Word Web

Laces Buttons Tasks Homework Ruined Unfinished Knot Zipper

Desafío

Try to use 'undone' in three different ways today: once for clothes, once for work, and once for a feeling.

Origen de la palabra

From Middle English 'undon', which comes from Old English 'undōn'. It is a combination of the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not' or 'reversal') and 'dōn' (to do).

Significado original: To open, unfasten, or reverse an action.

Germanic (English)

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using the 'ruined' meaning as it can be very dramatic.

Commonly used in parenting ('Don't leave your room undone') and fashion ('Your tie is undone').

Duran Duran - 'Come Undone' (Song) Shakespeare's Othello - 'I am undone forever.' The movie 'Undone' (Animated series exploring reality).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Clothing and Appearance

Your laces are undone.
A button came undone.
Is my zipper undone?
Her hair was undone.

Work and Productivity

Tasks left undone.
Work remains undone.
Don't leave it undone.
Business left undone.

Emotions and Stress

I feel undone.
Undone by grief.
Completely undone.
Coming undone.

Plans and Agreements

The deal was undone.
Progress was undone.
The plan came undone.
The knot was undone.

Literature and Drama

Alas, I am undone!
Undone by fate.
A life undone.
Socially undone.

Inicios de conversación

"Have you ever left something important undone and regretted it later?"

"What do you do when you feel completely undone by a busy week?"

"Do you notice when people have their shoelaces undone, or do you ignore it?"

"In your opinion, what is the hardest task to leave undone?"

"Have you ever seen a plan come undone at the last minute?"

Temas para diario

Write about a time you felt 'undone' by a piece of art or music.

List three tasks you have left undone this week and explain why.

Describe a situation where a small mistake left a big project undone.

Reflect on the proverb 'What is done cannot be undone'. Do you agree?

Imagine a character who is 'undone' by a secret. What is the secret?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, that is incorrect. 'Undone' is an adjective. You should use the verb 'undid' for the past tense: 'I undid the knot'.

Yes, especially when talking about tasks or plans. 'Left undone' sounds more formal and serious than 'not finished'.

It is a dramatic way of saying 'I am ruined' or 'I am emotionally overwhelmed'. It's common in literature.

Usually, we use 'underdone' for food that isn't cooked enough. 'Undone' is not common for cooking.

The opposite can be 'done', 'finished', 'fastened', or 'tied', depending on the context.

Yes, you can say 'Your zipper is undone'. It's a very common and clear way to say it.

Yes, it can literally mean to become unfastened, but idiomatically it means to fail or lose control.

It is pronounced /ʌnˈdʌn/, with the stress on the second syllable. It rhymes with 'fun'.

Yes, if a task is 'undone', it might not have been started at all, or it might be partially finished but neglected.

Yes, it is used in both British and American English with the same meanings.

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