completing high school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completing high school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of finishing secondary education or referring to someone who has graduated from high school. Example: "After completing high school, she decided to pursue a degree in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More young people were completing high school.

The New York Times

Both have not worked in Ethiopia since completing high school.

The Guardian

Turner wrote that completing high school was his goal.

The Washington Post

The idea that completing high school is adequate preparation for professional life is outdated.

The New York Times

She focused on completing high school and keeping herself in good physical shape.

The New York Times - Arts

After completing high school at age 15, Joe earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from NYU.

The New York Times

He had since married a teacher and was taking classes toward completing high school.

The New York Times - Sports

After completing high school in Brooklyn, he attended Brooklyn College but quit after a year.

The Washington Post

MOST able-bodied 18-year-old Israelis are drafted after completing high school.

The New York Times

Students attend a lyceum, a university, or polytechnical school after completing high school (gymnasium).

Britannica

In 1970, after completing high school, she worked for a geobotanist in South Africa for four months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing educational attainment in formal documents, using "completing high school" provides a clear and concise way to indicate that someone has finished their secondary education. Ensure the context clearly defines what "high school" refers to, as educational systems vary internationally.

Common error

Avoid using "completing high school" when the context requires specifying whether the completion resulted in a diploma or simply exiting the school system. Clarify the outcome to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completing high school" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun in a sentence. Ludwig examples illustrate its use to describe an action or state related to finishing secondary education. The grammatical correctness is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completing high school" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to refer to the act of finishing secondary education. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and understood. The analysis shows that it functions primarily as a gerund phrase, serving to describe accomplishments, trends, or prerequisites. While found in formal and academic writing, its frequent use in news and media renders it appropriate for a neutral register. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its versatility in various contexts, emphasizing both the personal and societal implications of finishing high school.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finishing high school

Focuses on the action of ending high school, similar to completing, but with a slightly different emphasis.

graduating from high school

Emphasizes the achievement of graduation after finishing high school.

high school graduation

This is a noun phrase describing the event of graduating from high school.

obtaining a high school diploma

Highlights the attainment of the formal qualification received upon completing high school.

earning a high school degree

Focuses on the effort and achievement involved in gaining a high school degree.

passing high school

Indicates successful progression through and completion of high school.

achieving high school completion

Stresses the accomplishment of finishing high school.

securing a high school credential

Highlights the formal recognition received upon finishing high school.

completing secondary education

Uses a more formal and general term for high school.

finalizing high school studies

Emphasizes the conclusion of academic work in high school.

FAQs

What does "completing high school" mean?

The phrase "completing high school" refers to the act of successfully finishing the requirements for secondary education, typically resulting in a high school diploma or equivalent qualification.

What can I say instead of "completing high school"?

You can use alternatives like "finishing high school", "graduating from high school", or "obtaining a high school diploma" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "completing high school" or "graduating high school"?

"Completing high school" and "graduating from high school" are both correct, but "graduating from high school" specifically emphasizes the act of receiving a diploma or degree, while "completing high school" simply indicates the end of secondary education.

What are the benefits of "completing high school"?

Completing high school can lead to greater opportunities, including higher earning potential, access to further education, and improved job prospects. For individuals, completing high school can mean access to higher-paying jobs, better health and longer life expectancy.