finally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "finally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the idea of something happening after a period of time or after a long wait. For example: "Finally, the day I had been waiting for had arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just a 10-minute stroll from the Short Strand, hundreds of people looked on as two rival factions jeered and snarled at one another before the final confrontation, when hand-to-hand fighting finally broke out.

The Guardian

After being dropped by 5USA after its fourth season, the sixth and final outing for the hugely enjoyable modern western finally finds a home in the UK.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They had just sat through nearly four hours of a delightful hors d'oeuvre in the first semi-final, Wawrinka, Roger Federer's conqueror in the last eight, finally crushing their hero, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.

The Guardian - Sport

This ruling will save lives by forcing the government to finally take this issue seriously.

The Guardian

But now, lucky George has finally found a woman in the nick of time, and has somehow convinced her to marry him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Are even the French finally coming round to the idea that smoking in movies is a dying trend?

The Guardian - Film

Scotland retained much devolved power after 1707 and has had "Home Rule" since 1998 (Wales, too), the kind Asquith finally enacted in 1914.

The Guardian

As it is, when I can finally start to wind down, I'm so tired that I just want to crash into bed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had a bronchial infection as well, and finally his doctor said he was going to reserve a room for him in a nursing home.

The Guardian

If she can get past scheduled opponent Victoria Azarenka (finally seeded in a Slam, at No27) in the third round (an unfortunate draw for both) her sister Venus could be standing in her way in the fourth round.

The Guardian - Sport

Senna finally joined Williams himself for the 1994 campaign, with Prost deciding to retire as he refused to be his team-mate again.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finally" to signal the resolution of a situation or the completion of a process. It can also create a sense of anticipation or relief.

Common error

Avoid using "finally" excessively in simple narratives where the sequence of events is already clear. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

Finally functions primarily as an adverb, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action or event occurs after a period of time, effort, or anticipation. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing numerous examples where "finally" adds emphasis to the eventual occurrence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finally" is a versatile adverb used to indicate that something is happening after a period of waiting or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts, primarily in news, sports, and lifestyle content. While alternatives like "at last" or "eventually" exist, "finally" effectively conveys a sense of resolution or culmination. Remember to avoid overusing "finally" in simple narratives to maintain clarity and impact. The examples provided showcase the diverse applications of "finally", making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at last

Indicates something happened after a long wait or difficulty.

at long last

Emphasizes the extended duration of the wait or difficulty before something happened.

in the end

Highlights the conclusion or outcome of a process or situation.

eventually

Suggests that something happened after some time, often implying a natural progression.

ultimately

Emphasizes the final result or consequence after a series of events.

after all

Highlights that something is true despite initial doubts or contrary evidence.

in conclusion

Used to signal the end of a speech or piece of writing.

to conclude

Formally introduces a summary or ending statement.

in closing

Similar to "in conclusion" but often used in a more conversational or spoken context.

in due course

Implies something will happen at the appropriate or expected time.

FAQs

How can I use "finally" in a sentence?

"Finally" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to indicate that something is happening after a period of waiting or difficulty. For example: "Finally, the rain stopped".

What can I say instead of "finally"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "at last", "eventually", or "ultimately". Each carries slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "finally"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "finally" to emphasize that something is happening after a long wait or process.

What's the difference between "finally" and "lastly"?

"Finally" indicates something happening after a delay or at the end of a process, while "lastly" is used to introduce the final point in a list or series. They are not always interchangeable.