finally got through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finally got through" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when you have encountered a difficult situation or obstacle that you have struggled with for a period of time, but ultimately accomplished. Example: After days of trying, I finally got through the calculus problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A couple of days ago I finally got through to one of my cousins.

The New York Times

She said she finally got through the Friday before the election.

The Washington Post

Helen finally got through to her mother, Rosella, on Monday morning.

The New Yorker

"Why haven't you got a private line?" he asked when he finally got through.

The New Yorker

My agent finally got through and said, 'Hello, Doctor.' I went into the corner, I couldn't tell anyone.

Independent

Three times Shackleton was stopped by the ice, but he finally got through and rescued all the men.

The New York Times - Books

But they would not have happened if Gorbachev's message to the "captive nations" had not finally got through.

The Guardian

I was left on hold for about 15 ­minutes and, when I finally got through, the call came to nothing.

The Guardian - Money

What finally got through was an understanding that the recession, not personal failure, was the principal cause of her joblessness.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I finally got through to the DVLA I was told my car had been "exported", whatever that means.

The Guardian - Money

The plant personnel were just as evasive when they  finally got through to local firefighters, choosing to say nothing about high radiation readings at the plant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finally got through", ensure the context clearly indicates what obstacle or difficulty was overcome. For example, "After hours on hold, I finally got through to customer service."

Common error

Avoid using "finally got through" without specifying what was achieved. Be clear about what obstacle was overcome, or who or what was contacted. For example, instead of just saying "I finally got through", specify "I finally got through to my boss" or "I finally got through the traffic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finally got through" primarily functions as a past tense verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an action after overcoming difficulty. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finally got through" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe successfully overcoming an obstacle or reaching a goal after a period of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used in various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal narratives. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was achieved or who was contacted. While it fits well in both formal and informal settings, awareness of the specific context is crucial. Remember to provide specific details to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication. This phrase's versatility makes it a useful addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eventually got through

Replaces "finally" with "eventually", indicating a similar outcome but emphasizing the process took time.

managed to get through

Focuses on the act of managing or succeeding in getting through, implying a level of difficulty.

at long last succeeded

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal expression, highlighting the success after a prolonged effort.

eventually reached

Similar to 'eventually made contact' but more broadly applicable to reaching a destination or goal.

eventually made contact

Specifically targets the act of reaching someone, suitable when the context involves communication.

in the end, succeeded

Highlights the eventual success after a period of time, often implying prior attempts or difficulties.

ultimately broke through

Emphasizes overcoming a barrier or resistance to achieve a breakthrough.

finally understood

Shifts the focus to comprehension, replacing 'got through' with 'understood' to emphasize understanding a concept.

after much effort, connected

Focuses on the effort required to establish a connection, be it physical or communicative.

after a struggle, prevailed

Emphasizes that a struggle had to be overcome to succeed. It is typically used with a strong obstacle and indicates a sense of triumph.

FAQs

How can I use "finally got through" in a sentence?

You can use "finally got through" to indicate that you have overcome an obstacle or reached someone after a period of difficulty. For instance, "After several attempts, I "finally got through" to the support team."

What can I say instead of "finally got through"?

You can use alternatives like "eventually got through", "managed to get through", or "eventually made contact" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "finally get through" or "finally got through"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Finally get through" can be used in hypothetical or future scenarios, while ""finally got through"" is used to describe something that has already happened.

What does it mean to say that something 'finally got through' to someone?

It means that an idea or message was "finally understood" or accepted by someone after a period of resistance or difficulty in comprehension. It refers to overcoming a barrier of understanding.