finalise

USAGE SUMMARY

'finalise' is a correct word and is commonly used in written English.
It means to complete or bring to an end. You can use 'finalise' when you want to indicate that something is being completed or finished, or when you want to emphasize that an action is the final step in a process. Example: I need to finalise the details of my presentation before tomorrow's meeting. Example: The contract is almost ready, we just need to finalise a few last-minute changes before we can sign it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is understood that there have been intensive cross-party talks in recent days to finalise the plans.

The Guardian

After Massachusetts passed its landmark law in 2006, few people signed up at first – most waited for the deadlines to finalise their coverage decisions.

The Guardian

March 2015: World leaders meet in Lausanne, Switzerland to finalise agreement.

The Guardian

Gurría said: "Our challenge as we finalise post-2015 development goals this year will be to find ways to get more of this aid to the countries that need it most and to ensure we are getting as much as we can out of every dollar spent".

The Guardian

The report is being released before the conclusion of discussions in September to finalise what targets for economic and social outcomes by 2030 will succeed the Millennium Development Goals.

The Guardian

Governments took a step back from chaos in the climate change discussions in Lima and found a way forward on Sunday, albeit with some fudges and compromises, giving themselves just 12 months to finalise a crucial international agreement to avoid dangerous levels of global warming.

The Guardian

But other states and territories are not expected to finalise their results until early October.

The Guardian

The parties have set a deadline of 30 June to finalise an accord.

The Guardian

On Monday and Tuesday, the Republican platform committee met in Tampa in advance of the convention to finalise the document.

The Guardian

A prospective student may not use social media for initial research, but may engage with social media to help finalise their decision".

The Guardian

At 7.19pm Brown left Downing Street for the short journey to Buckingham Palace, where he resigned and recommended to the Queen that she should call for Cameron, even though the Tories had yet to finalise their coalition negotiations with the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finalise" when you want to emphasize that an action is the definitive last step in a process, ensuring all details are settled before moving forward.

Common error

While "finalise" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it in very informal settings where simpler words like "finish" or "complete" might sound more natural. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "finalise" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object and indicates the act of completing or concluding something. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts to describe completing agreements, plans, or documents. Ludwig AI confirms that "finalise" is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finalise" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb, particularly in British English, that indicates the act of bringing something to a definite end. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid term, appearing in news articles, formal business documents, and scientific publications. When deciding whether to use "finalise", consider the context. While widely accepted, in very informal conversations, simpler alternatives might be preferable. Remember to choose "finalise" or "finalize" based on your target audience and maintain consistency within your writing. It indicates a formal and complete resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclude

Focuses on bringing something to a formal end or resolution.

complete

Emphasizes the act of finishing something that has been started.

settle

Suggests reaching an agreement or resolution, often in a formal setting.

seal the deal

An idiomatic expression indicating the final agreement on a transaction or arrangement.

wrap up

Indicates bringing something to a conclusion, often in an informal context.

put the finishing touches on

Focuses on the last actions taken to perfect something.

bring to fruition

Suggests successfully developing something from start to finish.

close out

Implies completing all necessary actions for a project or task.

make definitive

Emphasizes making something official and beyond dispute.

put the lid on

An informal way of saying to bring something to a definite end.

FAQs

How can I use "finalise" in a sentence?

You can use "finalise" to indicate the completion of a process. For example, "We need to "finalise" the contract before the end of the week".

What are some alternatives to "finalise"?

Alternatives include "conclude", "complete", or "settle", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "finalise" the same as "finalize"?

"Finalise" is the British English spelling, while "finalize" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but consistency within your document is key.

What's the difference between "finalise" and "finish"?

"Finalise" often implies a more formal or official completion, whereas "finish" is a more general term for bringing something to an end. Use "finalise" when you want to emphasize the definitive nature of the completion.