finish early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish early" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to completing a task or activity before the expected or scheduled time. Example: "If we work efficiently, we might finish early and have some time to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would finish early and secure applause and sometimes a medal, but the late finishers on his team prevented personal triumph from becoming collective victory for Shahjalal House.

HuffPost

Finish early?

The Washington Post

In most countries schools finish early in the afternoon.

The Economist

That's when my attention wanders and I'm looking at my watch, tempted to finish early.

The New York Times

Riders or teams who finish early are left to watch their rivals complete the course.

The New York Times - Sports

"If the crowd is against them, they might want to finish early, just to get offstage.

The New York Times

Is it the case that football's teen prodigies start early and finish early too?

Independent

Working hard just means that you finish early and get given more work.

The Guardian - Opinion

You may not leave the exam room if you finish early (other than to use the restroom).

University of California, Berkeley

When users finish early they are encouraged to let as many others know as possible that the Cutter is available.

University of California, Berkeley

In a method called "Adaptive PageRank," they eliminate redundant computations associated with those pages whose PageRanks finish early.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning projects, allocate sufficient time, but aim to "finish early" to accommodate unforeseen delays or allow for revisions.

Common error

Avoid sacrificing quality for the sake of finishing a task quickly. While aiming to "finish early" is beneficial, ensure that the work meets the required standards and attention to detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish early" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an action (finishing) ahead of the expected or scheduled time. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to express completing a task before the deadline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finish early" is a common and grammatically sound expression indicating the completion of a task or activity ahead of schedule. According to Ludwig, its versatility is evident in its frequent use across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic and general writing. While aiming to ""finish early"" is generally positive, it is crucial to maintain quality and avoid rushing the process. Alternatives such as "complete ahead of schedule" and "wrap up sooner" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Overall, understanding the nuances of "finish early" enables more effective and context-aware communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete ahead of schedule

Emphasizes completing a task before the planned deadline.

wrap up sooner

Focuses on concluding or ending an activity in less time.

conclude prematurely

Highlights the act of ending something before its natural or intended conclusion.

end in advance

Indicates that something terminates before the expected timeframe.

be done before time

Stresses the state of being finished before the allotted time.

get through quickly

Highlights speed and efficiency in completing a task.

be finished with time to spare

Emphasizes having extra time after completing a task.

finalise ahead of time

Focuses on the completion of final steps before the expected deadline.

discharge early

Particularly useful in professional context where somebody needs to be relieved of their duties sooner.

gain time

To obtain extra time.

FAQs

How can I use "finish early" in a sentence?

You can use "finish early" to describe completing a task or activity before the scheduled time. For example, "If we work efficiently, we can "finish early" and have time for a break."

What are some alternatives to saying "finish early"?

Alternatives include "complete ahead of schedule", "wrap up sooner", or "be done before time", depending on the context.

Is it better to "finish early" or "complete on time"?

While completing tasks on time is acceptable, aiming to ""finish early"" allows for flexibility and potential improvements. It's generally advantageous to complete work ahead of schedule to address any unexpected issues or revisions.

What does it mean to "finish early" in project management?

In project management, ""finish early"" means completing all project tasks and deliverables before the established deadline. This can result in cost savings and increased client satisfaction.