finish by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a deadline or the final step in a process or task. Example: "Please make sure to finish by the end of the day to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The process must finish by mid-June.

The New York Times

It will finish by killing you".

Independent

Most schools finish by 1 p.m.

The New York Times

Finish by adding a smiley.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Finish by decorating with watercress.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hopefully we can finish by Sunday".

The Guardian - Sport

The talks are supposed to finish by December 10th.

The Economist

Drafting to start immediately to finish by June 30".

Independent

A sharp finish by Gianni Munari made sure of victory.

Independent

They had a drywall job to finish by the evening.

The New Yorker

I eventually finish by 6pm and make my way home.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting deadlines, use "finish by" to clearly communicate the expected completion time. For instance, "Please "finish by" Friday to ensure the project stays on schedule."

Common error

Avoid using "finish with" when you mean to set a deadline. "Finish with" implies ending an activity involving something, while "finish by" indicates a completion time. Incorrect: "Please finish with Friday." Correct: "Please "finish by" Friday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a deadline or the final step in a process. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it clarifies when something needs to be completed. The core function involves setting expectations for completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a deadline or the concluding action in a series of steps. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears across various sources, from news outlets to instructional wikis, highlighting its broad applicability. While alternatives like "complete by" and "conclude by" exist, "finish by" remains a straightforward and effective choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete by

Indicates a deadline or completion date, similar to the original phrase.

conclude by

Implies ending or finalizing something by a specific time.

finalize by

Emphasizes the act of making something final by a certain point.

end by

A more direct synonym for completing something by a specific time or action.

be done by

Indicates the state of being completed by a given time.

be completed by

More formal version of 'be done by', indicating completion by a deadline.

wrap up by

Indicates the act of finalizing and completing something by a deadline in a more casual context.

reach completion by

Highlights the process of achieving completion by a specific time.

terminate by

Suggests ending something, usually a process or agreement, by a certain date.

expire by

Refers to something becoming invalid or ending by a particular date or time.

FAQs

How to use "finish by" in a sentence?

Use "finish by" to indicate a deadline or the final step in a process. For example: "The report needs to "be finished by" tomorrow morning" or "We will "finish by" adding the final touches to the design".

What can I say instead of "finish by"?

You can use alternatives like "complete by", "conclude by", or "finalize by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "finish by" or "finish with"?

"Finish by" indicates a deadline (e.g., "Finish by Friday"), while "finish with" means to complete using something (e.g., "I'm finished with the book"). The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

Is "finish by" formal or informal?

"Finish by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a straightforward and widely accepted way to indicate a deadline or the final step in a process. Using it is acceptable in "formal communication" and everyday conversation.