completing the work

USAGE SUMMARY

"completing the work" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "We have been hard at work for the past week; now it's time to finish by completing the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tranquility and control provide the best conditions for completing the work you imagined.

The Guardian

Viewers will be able to participate in completing the work of Mr. Romberg.

The New York Times - Arts

"Sometimes that means completing the work internally; sometimes it means using external support".

The New York Times

He added that there was "no alternative" to completing the work immediately.

The New York Times

Since completing the work Mr. Brittelle has devoted increased attention to writing for other performers.

The New York Times - Arts

On completing the work, Mahler wrote to a friend: "Try to imagine the whole universe beginning to ring and resound.

The New York Times - Books

President Bush and I are committed to completing the work begun in 1980, but we need Congress's help to do so.

The New York Times

Last month police decided to reinstate criminal proceedings against the suspects while the project looked for alternatives to completing the work.

The Guardian

I know how much effort goes into writing a book, it seems disrespectful because it's completing the work that's the difficult thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poor died in his early 40s, soon after completing the work for a local physician, perhaps because mural painting was a hazardous profession.

The New York Times

Only, as he blithely confesses, he had not the slightest intention of completing the work anytime soon, nor was he planning a simple afternoon at the movies.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completing the work", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific work being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid embedding "completing the work" within excessively long or convoluted sentences, as this can obscure the meaning and reduce clarity. Break down complex ideas into simpler statements for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completing the work" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the action of finishing a particular task or set of tasks. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completing the work" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to describe the action of finishing a task or project. According to Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral register. It is important to clearly define the 'work' being referenced to avoid ambiguity, and overuse in complex sentences should be avoided for clarity. If a more formal tone is desired, alternatives such as "finalizing the project" may be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finishing the work

Replaces "completing" with "finishing", a direct synonym, resulting in a near-identical meaning.

completing tasks

Replaces the more general "work" with the more specific "tasks", suggesting more concrete assignments.

finalizing the project

Substitutes "work" with "project" and "completing" with "finalizing", shifting the focus to a defined undertaking.

execution of the job

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "completing" with "execution" and "work" with "job".

carrying out the assignment

Emphasizes the fulfillment of a specific duty, changing "completing" to "carrying out" and "work" to "assignment".

bringing the endeavor to fruition

A more elaborate and formal way to express completing a task, with "endeavor" replacing "work".

the culmination of efforts

Focuses on the result of invested effort, with "culmination" replacing "completing" and "efforts" replacing "work".

performance of the duties

Focuses on fulfilling obligations, with "performance" replacing "completing" and "duties" replacing "work".

winding up the business

Implies concluding an entire operation, substituting "completing" with "winding up" and "work" with "business".

wrapping up the undertaking

Conveys a sense of finishing, using "wrapping up" instead of "completing" and "undertaking" instead of "work".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "completing the work" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "finalizing the project" or "execution of the job", depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "completing the work" for academic writing?

In academic contexts, you might use phrases like "the culmination of efforts" or specify the task such as "completing the analysis" or "completing the research" to be precise.

Is it ever better to use "finish the work" instead of "completing the work"?

While "finish the work" is perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct, "completing the work" can add a slightly more formal or process-oriented nuance, emphasizing the act of bringing the task to a close.

How does "completing the work" differ from "carrying out the assignment"?

"Completing the work" generally refers to finishing a task or project, while "carrying out the assignment" suggests executing or performing a specific duty or task from start to finish. The former focuses on the end result, while the latter emphasizes the process.