did not finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has not completed a task or event, often in contexts like races, assignments, or projects. Example: "Despite his best efforts, he did not finish the marathon due to an injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cuba did not finish.

The Washington Post

Started, but did not finish.

The New York Times - Sports

"I did not finish it".

Independent

Liina, alas, did not finish.

The Guardian - Sport

My son did not finish.

The Guardian - Opinion

They just did not finish them.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not finish the thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

He did not finish this project.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three were disqualified, six did not finish.

Independent

What followed was a pre-Olympic jolt: seventh, did not finish, did not finish, seventh, did not finish.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Five did not finish one of the study meals within the time required and were excluded.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not finish" to clearly state the incompletion of a task, race, or educational program. It's a straightforward way to convey that something was started but not brought to conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "did not finished". The correct form is "did not finish". Remember that "did" already indicates the past tense, so the main verb should be in its base form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not finish" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the negation of a completed action. It indicates that an event, task, or process was started but not brought to its conclusion. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

26%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not finish" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that something was initiated but not completed. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used across a variety of contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to informal conversations. Its straightforward meaning and broad applicability make it a reliable choice for conveying the incompletion of tasks, events, or educational pursuits. When using this phrase, it is important to avoid the common error of using the past participle form of the verb ("finished") and to ensure that the context clearly conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to complete

Indicates a lack of success in bringing something to a close.

did not complete

A more direct synonym, simply stating the action wasn't brought to completion.

fell short of finishing

Focuses on the lack of reaching the endpoint.

did not conclude

A more formal way of saying something wasn't brought to an end.

left undone

Emphasizes the state of being incomplete or unattended.

halted before completion

Emphasizes that progress was stopped before the task was fully done.

abandoned

Suggests a deliberate act of stopping or relinquishing an activity.

stopped prematurely

Highlights ending before the expected or normal time.

ceased midway

Highlights stopping in the middle of an activity.

broke off

Implies an abrupt termination or interruption.

FAQs

How can I use "did not finish" in a sentence?

You can use "did not finish" to describe the incompletion of a task or event, such as "He "did not finish" the race due to an injury" or "She "did not finish" her degree".

What are some alternatives to "did not finish"?

Alternatives include "failed to complete", "did not complete", or "left undone depending" on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "did not finished"?

No, "did not finished" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "did not finish", as the auxiliary verb "did" already indicates the past tense.

What's the difference between "did not finish" and "failed to complete"?

While both phrases convey a lack of completion, "did not finish" is more neutral, while "failed to complete" may imply a stronger sense of inability or unsuccessful effort.