as good as finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as good as finished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly complete or that no further work is needed to finalize it. Example: "With just a few minor adjustments left, the project is as good as finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The relationship would be as good as finished right there".

The New York Times

Assagai were as good as finished, but this album - recorded in Coker's absence - crept out before the shutters came down.

The Guardian - Music

April 17 The editing process has finally come to a close and the film is as good as finished.

The Guardian - Film

United will arrive in the capital as champions but their chances of winning the title are as good as finished as they trail leaders Arsenal by 11 points.

Independent

It would suggest that while the Lib Dems are as good as finished in seats they hope to win in the Midlands and the north of England, Clegg's party can continue to pose a threat in constituencies that the Tories are targeting.

Independent

As a result, many of the 1,000 or so diehard fans at the track on Monday afternoon may assume that the whole plan is as good as finished, and that they can plan their Christmas around a trip to Kempton on Boxing Day for years to come.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Finishing second is as good as finishing first because it comes with a trip to the national title game, the Orange Bowl on Jan . 3

The New York Times - Sports

There are very few things one can do alone that feel as good as finishing a run in the warm island sun and immediately plunging into the warm and welcoming Caribbean surf.

Huffington Post

I can sit in my studio on a Saturday morning and find something on a large piece of paper, and the feeling that you get is almost as good as having finished a building that's turned out all right.

The Guardian - Arts

"I like to say that a wood door is only as good as the finish that's on it," said Duane Berger, a manager of Frank Lumber Door Store in suburban Seattle.

The New York Times

Norfolk Southern Corp. – Shares of the firm engaged in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products as well as finished goods in the United States slumped 4.30% lower in afternoon trading to stand at $54.36 as of 12 35 pm (ET).

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase to indicate that further effort is unlikely to change the final result significantly.

Common error

Avoid using "as good as finished" if there's a substantial possibility of unforeseen changes or reversals. The phrase implies a high degree of certainty, so ensure that the context supports this assumption.

Linguistic Context

Function: The phrase "as good as finished" functions as an idiomatic expression, operating as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of near completion or a high degree of certainty about a future outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as good as finished" is a common idiom used to express that something is nearly complete or virtually certain to occur. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While widely accepted, writers should be mindful of overstating certainty when employing this phrase. Alternatives like "virtually complete" or "practically done" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance. Understanding its function, purpose, and register ensures effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Emphasizes the almost complete state, focusing on the lack of remaining work.

practically done

Highlights the practicality of considering the task complete, with minimal effort remaining.

all but complete

Indicates that only a small part remains to be finished.

tantamount to completion

Suggests the situation is equivalent to being finished, even if technically not.

effectively over

Focuses on the end result or cessation of activity.

for all intents and purposes, finished

Highlights that, realistically, the task should be treated as finished.

as near as makes no difference, done

Emphasizes the insignificance of what remains to be done.

in effect, complete

Points to the practical outcome being one of completion.

might as well be finished

Highlights that the task is not exactly finished, but also that we can treat it as such.

as good as done

Focuses on future time, meaning that a task is nearly complete and will soon be finished.

FAQs

How can I use "as good as finished" in a sentence?

You can use "as good as finished" to indicate that something is nearly complete or certain to happen. For example, "With just a few minor adjustments left, the project is as good as finished".

What phrases are similar to "as good as finished"?

Alternatives include "virtually complete", "practically done", or "all but complete". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as good as finished" a formal or informal expression?

"As good as finished" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, avoid it in highly formal or technical writing.

What's the difference between "as good as finished" and "finished"?

"Finished" implies complete and utter completion. "As good as finished" suggests near completion or a high probability of completion, but leaves a sliver of possibility for change.