but I finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but I finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that despite some circumstances or challenges, you have completed a task or activity. Example: "I was really tired and thought I might not make it, but I finished the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"But I finished it".

The New York Times

"But I finished the match well.

Independent

"But I finished the fight".

The New York Times

"But I finished thinking it through after Berlin.

The New York Times

But I finished "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson and took the Keith Richards autobiography with me on vacation to Mexico.

The New York Times

I felt the pop, but I finished the cut, caught the ball, burst up the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

I should have finished work at 4.30pm but I finish 5.20pm as it was a busy day.

The Guardian

But when I finished, there were tears in his eyes.

The New York Times

"But when I finished I decided to give it to some film pirates," he explained.

The New Yorker

But when I finished that race, I felt like I could have gone another ten miles, honestly".

The New Yorker

"But once I finished one challenge, I realized maybe I could do something even bigger".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but I finished" to clearly indicate the successful completion of an action despite a challenge, setback, or initial difficulty. This emphasizes resilience and determination.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses connected only by "but". This can create convoluted sentences. Instead, break down the sentence or use varied conjunctions like "although", "however", or "despite".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but I finished" functions as a coordinating conjunction linking two clauses. It indicates a contrast between a preceding statement and the successful completion of an action by the speaker. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but I finished" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the successful completion of an action despite a preceding challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness. Its primary function is to express resilience and determination. While suitable for a range of contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. Alternative phrases like "however I finished" or "yet I completed it" can provide a more formal tone. The key is to use it to emphasize the achievement against the odds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet I completed it

Replaces "but" with "yet" to convey a similar contrast, focusing on the completion of the action.

however, I finished

Substitutes "but" with "however", offering a more formal tone while retaining the meaning of contrast and completion.

nonetheless, I finished

Uses "nonetheless" for a stronger emphasis on the completion despite potential obstacles.

even so, I finished

Emphasizes that despite what preceded, the action was still completed.

still, I managed to finish

Adds "managed to" to highlight the effort involved in completing the action.

despite that, I finished

Explicitly states that the completion occurred in spite of a preceding condition.

in spite of everything, I finished

Highlights that the completion happened against many odds.

after all, I finished

Implies that despite doubts or difficulties, the completion was the ultimate outcome.

I did finish, though

Inverts the sentence structure for emphasis, using "though" to add a touch of casualness.

I finished, regardless

Emphasizes the act of finishing without regard to prior circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "but I finished" to show completion of an action despite a challenge. For example, "The task was difficult, but I finished it on time".

What's a more formal way to say "but I finished"?

Alternatives include "however I finished" or "nonetheless I finished", which add a touch of formality.

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

While traditionally discouraged, starting a sentence with "but" is now widely accepted in modern writing, especially for emphasis or contrast.

Which is correct, "but I finished" or "and I finished"?

"But I finished" implies a contrast or overcoming an obstacle, while "and I finished" simply adds information. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.