completed secondary school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completed secondary school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has finished high school. For example: "After Michael completed secondary school, he decided to take a gap year before going to college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He completed secondary school but never attended college.

The New York Times

Few have completed secondary school, and many cannot read or write.

Nature

In several countries Protestants are less likely than Catholics to have completed secondary school.

The Economist

He wants to improve their quality: half will be women, and all will be required to have completed secondary school.

The Economist

Many of Egypt's unemployed youth are also among the country's best-educated; 95% have completed secondary school and many have university degrees.

The Guardian

His twin sister, Fatuma, said that her brother, who had not completed secondary school, was nonetheless a good student who had helped her with her studies.

The New York Times

In the United States, there is a nationwide assumption that students who have completed secondary school should have at least two years of university education.

Britannica

Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 14; however, only a small fraction of the population has completed secondary school.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the OECD, Britain ranks only 13th among its 30 member countries for the share of people aged 55-64 whaveave completed secondary school.

The Economist

Individuals who left full-time education between the ages of 16 and 20 are classified as having completed secondary school.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Regarding the education level of the parents, the majority had completed secondary school or higher (74.1%, n = 163).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational attainment in an international context, "secondary school" provides a clearer understanding as it is a widely recognized term for the level of education following primary school but preceding higher education. Use it especially when comparing educational systems across different countries.

Common error

Avoid using "completed secondary school" when referring to university or college education. The phrase specifically denotes the completion of high school or its equivalent. If you intend to describe completion of higher education, use phrases like "completed a bachelor's degree" or "graduated from university".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed secondary school" functions as a descriptive term indicating the successful culmination of secondary education. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It often serves to provide context regarding an individual's educational background.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completed secondary school" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the successful completion of secondary education, which is equivalent to high school. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is used across different fields, especially in science and news media, to provide background information on an individual's educational level. While generally neutral, its formality makes it suitable for professional and academic settings. Related phrases, such as "finished high school", offer simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finished high school

Uses a more common and straightforward term, "high school", instead of "secondary school".

finished secondary education

Replaces "school" with the broader term "education".

graduated from secondary school

Emphasizes the act of graduation, a formal recognition of completing the school.

completed high school education

Combines the common "high school" term with "education".

obtained a secondary school diploma

Focuses on the formal certification received upon completion.

secondary school graduate

This is a noun phrase referring to someone who has completed secondary school.

received a secondary school certificate

Highlights the receipt of a formal certificate.

passed secondary school

Emphasizes the act of successfully passing the requirements of secondary school.

secondary school alumnus

Refers to someone who attended and completed secondary school.

secondary school leaver

Focuses on the act of leaving secondary school upon completion.

FAQs

What does it mean to have "completed secondary school"?

Having "completed secondary school" means that someone has finished their high school education or its equivalent. This generally marks the end of mandatory schooling in many countries and precedes higher education like college or university.

Which is the correct phrase, "completed secondary school" or "finished secondary school"?

Both "completed secondary school" and "finished secondary school" are correct and commonly used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context, as they convey the same meaning.

What level of education is considered "secondary school"?

"Secondary school" typically refers to the educational level between primary school and university. It's often equivalent to high school in the United States and includes grades 9-12.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "completed secondary school"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "finished high school", "graduated from secondary school", or "obtained a secondary school diploma".