are done

USAGE SUMMARY

"are done" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to mean that an action has been completed. For example, "The dishes are done, so we can sit down and eat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

("We are done for").

The New Yorker

What tests are done?

The New York Times

Past masters are done.

The New York Times - Arts

"When you are done".

The New York Times - Tech

Then, you are done".

The Guardian

"We are done looking.

The New York Times

Her flowers are done.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Those days are done.

The Guardian - Sport

All our preparations are done.

Independent

Bathrooms are done in limestone.

The New York Times

Most are done rather gingerly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are done" to clearly indicate that an action, task, or process has been completed. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is finished.

Common error

While "are done" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "have been completed" or "are finalized" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are done" is to indicate a completed state or action in the present tense. This construction combines the auxiliary verb "are" with the past participle "done", forming a passive voice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are done" is a versatile and commonly used construction to indicate completion in the present tense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. While particularly frequent in news, media, and wiki contexts, writers should consider the formality of the situation when choosing between "are done" and alternatives such as "have been completed". Best practice involves ensuring the context is clear regarding what specifically is finished. Avoiding overuse in highly formal writing is also advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have finished

Emphasizes the completion of an action or task.

have completed

Highlights the fulfillment of a requirement or process.

are completed

Similar to "are done", but might imply a more formal or structured completion.

are finalized

Suggests a conclusive and unchangeable state.

have concluded

Indicates the termination of an event or activity.

are over

Simple and direct way to express that something has ended.

are ready

Indicates preparedness and completion in the context of readiness.

have wrapped up

Informal way to express the conclusion of a task.

are brought to a close

Formal and emphatic way of stating something has ended.

have ceased

Indicates that something has stopped or been discontinued.

FAQs

How can I use "are done" in a sentence?

The phrase "are done" indicates completion. For example, "The preparations "are done", so we can begin the event" or "Once the tests "are done", we'll analyze the results".

What are some alternatives to "are done"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as /s/"have finished", /s/"are completed", or /s/"are finalized".

Is it correct to say "is done" instead of "are done"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "is done" for singular subjects (e.g., "The report is done") and "are done" for plural subjects (e.g., "The reports are done").

What is the difference between "are done" and "were done"?

"Are done" refers to the present, indicating something is currently completed. "Were done" refers to the past, indicating something was completed at a previous time.