finish high school

USAGE SUMMARY

"finish high school" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the completion of a high school education. For example: "My goal is to finish high school with honors by the time I'm 18."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, finish high school.

The New York Times

I didn't finish high school.

The New Yorker

They would finish high school.

The New York Times

I DIDN'T finish high school.

The New York Times

My dad didn't even finish high school.

The New York Times

He failed to finish high school.

The Guardian

Apparently, Snowden didn't finish high school.

The New Yorker

First, he had to finish high school.

The New Yorker

Financial difficulties meant he couldn't finish high school.

Independent

He did not manage to finish high school.

The New York Times - Books

Barely half of all students finish high school.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future plans, use "finish high school" to emphasize the completion of this stage of education as a prerequisite for further goals like college or a job.

Common error

Avoid using "finish high school" when you actually mean graduating with honors or achieving a specific academic distinction. "Finish high school" simply means completing the required coursework.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish high school" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of a specific educational stage. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in English. It represents a clear goal or achievement related to education.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finish high school" is a common and grammatically sound expression signifying the completion of secondary education. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its widespread use across diverse sources, including news media and general reference sites, indicates its broad acceptance and understanding. While more formal alternatives exist, such as "complete secondary education", "finish high school" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to describe this significant educational milestone. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the phrase's versatility in expressing goals, achievements, and discussions around the importance of education.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graduate from high school

Focuses specifically on the act of graduation, a formal recognition of completing high school.

complete secondary education

Uses more formal language to refer to the same level of education.

earn a high school diploma

Emphasizes the attainment of the diploma as proof of completion.

get through high school

Implies enduring or overcoming challenges to complete high school.

make it through high school

Similar to "get through", highlighting perseverance.

end one's high school education

A more verbose and formal way of saying "finish high school".

see high school through

Emphasizes commitment to completing high school despite potential difficulties.

finalize high school studies

Highlights the completion of studies within high school.

conclude high school

A slightly more formal alternative, suggesting the ending of high school years.

be done with high school

Focuses on the state of being finished, often implying relief or anticipation of the future.

FAQs

What does it mean to "finish high school"?

To "finish high school" means to successfully complete all the required courses and credits to graduate and receive a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Is it better to say "graduate high school" or "finish high school"?

While both are understandable, "graduate from high school" is more grammatically standard. "Finish high school" is acceptable and widely used, as evidenced by its frequent occurrence in sources like Ludwig.

What are the benefits of deciding to "finish high school"?

Completing high school opens doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and increased earning potential. Not to mention it equips you with essential skills.

What can I say instead of "finish high school" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might use "complete secondary education" or "earn a high school diploma".