completed a PhD

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completed a PhD" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the successful attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Example: "After years of hard work and research, she finally completed a PhD in neuroscience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You completed a PhD, then went into teaching.

The Guardian

Born and raised in Iran, Mirzakhani completed a PhD at Harvard in 2004.

The Guardian

Until recently, Ghariani, who completed a PhD at Exeter University, enjoyed good relations with British diplomats.

The Guardian

Yassaie moved to Britain in 1976 and completed a PhD in electronics at Birmingham University.

The Guardian - Business

Meanwhile, he completed a PhD in war studies at King's College London (1984).

The Guardian - Books

She spent part of her childhood in France and completed a PhD in Catalan and Italian regional politics.

The Guardian

I am 39 and have recently completed a PhD, which I undertook with the aim of becoming a university lecturer.

The Guardian - Money

Smoot took degrees in mathematics and physics and completed a PhD in particle physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Guardian

Anna Hunter completed a PhD in English and American Studies at the University of Manchester This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, I now want to complete a PhD instead of going back to law school.

The Guardian - Money

You need to complete a PhD if you want to become an astronomer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about academic achievements, use "completed a PhD" to clearly indicate the successful completion of doctoral studies. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "completed a PhD". For instance, using "completing a PhD" when the degree has already been awarded is inaccurate. Use "completed" to indicate the action is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed a PhD" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful attainment of a Doctor of Philosophy degree. It's a common way to describe someone's academic achievements, as evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completed a PhD" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the successful attainment of a doctoral degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives exist, such as "earned a doctorate" or "obtained a PhD", the original phrase remains a clear and effective way to communicate this academic achievement. Remember to use the correct tense to accurately reflect the completion of the degree.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Earned a doctorate

Focuses on the accomplishment of earning the degree.

Obtained a PhD

Highlights the act of acquiring the doctoral degree.

Received a PhD

Emphasizes the formal reception of the degree.

Awarded a PhD

Stresses the conferral of the PhD by an institution.

Finished doctoral studies

Focuses on the completion of the academic program.

Concluded PhD program

Highlights the end of the doctoral program.

Acquired a doctoral degree

Similar to 'obtained', but emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge.

Achieved a PhD

Focuses on the effort and success in getting the degree.

Successfully defended PhD

Highlights the successful defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Passed PhD defense

Specifies the successful completion of the final defense.

FAQs

How to use "completed a PhD" in a sentence?

You can use "completed a PhD" to describe someone who has successfully finished their doctoral studies. For example, "She "completed a PhD" in astrophysics at Harvard University".

What can I say instead of "completed a PhD"?

Alternatives include "earned a doctorate", "obtained a PhD", or "received a PhD", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "completed a PhD" or "finished a PhD"?

"Completed a PhD" is more formal and commonly used in academic and professional contexts. "Finished a PhD" is acceptable but slightly less formal. Both are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "completed a PhD" and "having a PhD"?

"Completed a PhD" refers to the action of finishing the doctoral program, while "having a PhD" refers to the state of possessing the doctoral degree.