Finally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "finally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are concluding something after a period of time, or when you are relieved that something has been concluded. Example: "After months of delays, we finally finished the project!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just a 10-minute stroll from the Short Strand, hundreds of people looked on as two rival factions jeered and snarled at one another before the final confrontation, when hand-to-hand fighting finally broke out.

The Guardian

After being dropped by 5USA after its fourth season, the sixth and final outing for the hugely enjoyable modern western finally finds a home in the UK.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They had just sat through nearly four hours of a delightful hors d'oeuvre in the first semi-final, Wawrinka, Roger Federer's conqueror in the last eight, finally crushing their hero, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.

The Guardian - Sport

This ruling will save lives by forcing the government to finally take this issue seriously.

The Guardian

But now, lucky George has finally found a woman in the nick of time, and has somehow convinced her to marry him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Are even the French finally coming round to the idea that smoking in movies is a dying trend?

The Guardian - Film

Scotland retained much devolved power after 1707 and has had "Home Rule" since 1998 (Wales, too), the kind Asquith finally enacted in 1914.

The Guardian

As it is, when I can finally start to wind down, I'm so tired that I just want to crash into bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had a bronchial infection as well, and finally his doctor said he was going to reserve a room for him in a nursing home.

The Guardian

If she can get past scheduled opponent Victoria Azarenka (finally seeded in a Slam, at No27) in the third round (an unfortunate draw for both) her sister Venus could be standing in her way in the fourth round.

The Guardian - Sport

Senna finally joined Williams himself for the 1994 campaign, with Prost deciding to retire as he refused to be his team-mate again.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing lists or instructions, consider placing "Finally" at the beginning of the last item to emphasize its importance or completion of the series.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences or paragraphs with "Finally". Vary your transitions with alternatives like "in conclusion", "lastly", or "ultimately" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Finally" is as an adverb. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that something happens at the end of a process, after a delay, or as a concluding point. Ludwig provides several examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Finally" is a versatile adverb that primarily signals the conclusion of a sequence or process. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "Finally", consider its neutral formality and be mindful not to overuse it. As seen from Ludwig's examples, this word appears in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, BBC and The New York Times, showing a high degree of validity in its usage. Using transitional phrases for better readability and engagement will ensure the correct understanding of what you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At last

Conveys a sense of relief or impatience.

In the end

Similar to "eventually" but can also imply a conclusive resolution.

Eventually

Highlights the passage of time before the event occurred.

Ultimately

Focuses on the end result or consequence.

In conclusion

Emphasizes summarizing preceding points.

To conclude

A more formal way of saying "in conclusion".

In closing

Used to signal the end of a discussion or presentation.

In the final analysis

Emphasizes a thorough consideration of all factors.

After all

Indicates something is happening despite prior difficulties.

Sooner or later

Indicates that something will happen at some point in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "Finally" in a sentence?

"Finally" is an adverb used to indicate that something happens after a long period or some difficulty. For example: "After years of hard work, she "finally" achieved her dream."

What words can I use instead of "Finally"?

You can use alternatives such as "eventually", "at last", "ultimately", or "in conclusion" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "Finally" and "Lastly"?

"Finally" often implies a sense of completion after a delay or difficulty, while "lastly" simply indicates the final item in a list or sequence. While they both can denote the end, "finally" carries an additional emotional weight.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Finally"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "Finally", especially when you want to signal the last point in a series or emphasize a concluding thought.