I finished both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I finished both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you have completed two tasks, items, or activities. Example: "After a long day of work, I finally sat down and realized I finished both the report and the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I finished both halves feeling as though I'd consumed an epic breakfast.

Independent

I finished both Sharp Objects and Dark Places before picking this one up, so the standard of her previous novels coupled with the hype around this one set the standards I was expecting for this novel astronomically high.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To my amazement, I finished them both and ordered another.

The New York Times - Magazine

By alternating chapters, I was able to finish both, and ended up simultaneously buoyed by the eternal, questing uncertainty of life, and ready to look into the benefits of owning a personal firearm.

The New Yorker

Could I ask you to finish, both of you, to look forward a bit if those were those two elements on a wish list what more would be on the wish list to actually accelerate Mali's development now from this point on?

The Guardian

Glenn Irwin failed to finish both 600cc races.

BBC

When I finished, I felt both exhausted and also a feeling of a job done, but [the reaction here] has actually made me miss the project, whereas I felt very finished with it when we finished".

Independent

By the time Ms. Garten and I finished dessert, we both had our feet up and she was allaying my anxieties about coming events, encouraging me to simplify.

The New York Times - Style

By the time I finished, I was both relieved and questioning my own sanity.

Huffington Post

I enlisted in the Navy several months before graduating from high school, but by the time I finished "boot camp," both wars were over.

Huffington Post

When at last I finished, he held them both up for another chef to see.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I finished both", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'both' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing clearer.

Common error

A common mistake is using "I finished both" without specifying what 'both' refers to. Always ensure the objects or tasks you completed are clear to the reader to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I finished both" functions as a statement of completion. It asserts that the speaker has successfully brought two specific items or tasks to an end. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from finishing books to completing tasks. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I finished both" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating the completion of two specific items or tasks. While relatively rare in occurrence, as Ludwig examples show, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various communicative situations. To ensure clarity, always specify what 'both' refers to. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable and correct to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have finished both

Uses the present perfect tense to emphasize that the action has relevance to the present.

I completed them both

Replaces "finished" with "completed", emphasizing the act of bringing something to an end.

I finalized both

Emphasizes the final and complete nature of finishing.

I concluded both of them

Uses "concluded" for a more formal tone, highlighting the termination of the items.

I am done with both

Expresses completion in a more casual manner.

I've wrapped up both

Uses the phrasal verb "wrap up" to indicate completion in a slightly informal style.

Both are finished by me

Shifts the focus to the items being completed rather than the actor, using a passive construction.

Both are complete for me

Similar to "Both are finished by me", but uses "complete" instead.

I've brought both to completion

A more elaborate way of expressing that both tasks are finished, emphasizing the process.

I saw both through to the end

Implies effort and persistence in completing both tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "I finished both" in a sentence?

Use "I finished both" to indicate you have completed two specific tasks or items. For example, "I finished both the report and the presentation" or "I finished both books on my reading list".

What can I say instead of "I finished both"?

You can use alternatives like "I completed them both", "I concluded both of them", or "I finalized both" depending on the context.

Is "I finished both" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I finished both" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely understood.

What's the difference between "I finished both" and "I finished all"?

"I finished both" implies you completed exactly two items or tasks. "I finished all" indicates you completed every item in a set, regardless of the number. The choice depends on whether you're referring to two specific things or everything in a group.