finish later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish later" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a task or activity will be completed at a future time. Example: "I have to leave for an appointment now, but I will finish later."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

You can save your progress and come back to finish later.

Cornell University

That particular project took about a year to finish; later, there were other, smaller orders.

The New Yorker

They start earlier or finish later to get some quiet time.

The Guardian

Although some fights still are to an absolute finish, later rules have sometimes permitted the withdrawal at any time of a badly damaged cock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's especially true of media companies, who start and finish later in order to match the working day closer to the European one in other time zones.

Independent

Left to themselves, they stay up late and sleep in in the morning because their melatonin cycles start and finish later than those of adults.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The arms and head will be finished later.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For those who finished later, it was 74.49.

The New York Times - Sports

MIT's term finishes later than Wellesley's and grades for MIT classes may not be available before degree decisions are made.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT's term finishes later than Harvard's and grades for MIT classes may not be available before degree decisions are made.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The private train operators have also redefined the terms of travel: peak time now starts earlier and finishes later, restricting choice still further.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finish later", ensure the context clearly indicates when "later" refers to. Provide a specific timeframe if possible to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "I'll finish later", say "I'll finish it tomorrow morning".

Common error

Avoid using "finish later" without specifying a clear timeframe. Vague references to time can lead to misunderstandings and unfulfilled expectations. Always provide context for when the task will be completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish later" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a future action. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used in contexts where tasks can be saved and resumed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish later" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the deferred completion of a task. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears across various contexts, including news, academia and wikis, its register leans towards neutral to informal. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify a timeframe when using "finish later". Alternatives include "complete afterwards" or "wrap up later". Overall, it's a common phrase but provide clarity when you are going to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrap up later

Suggests concluding or completing an activity at a later time, less formal.

complete afterwards

Indicates finishing at a time subsequent to something else, slightly more formal.

handle later

Similar to "do later", but implies managing or dealing with something.

finalize subsequently

Implies completing something in a formal setting at a later point.

attend to later

Implies giving attention to something at a subsequent time, more formal.

do later

A simpler, more informal way of saying something will be done at a later time.

tackle afterwards

Suggests addressing a challenge or problem at a later time.

address afterwards

Suggests dealing with a specific issue or task at a subsequent time.

put the finishing touches on later

Specifically refers to adding final details at a later time.

get around to it later

Indicates a less certain commitment to completing something at a later time.

FAQs

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

You can use "finish later" to indicate that you will complete a task at a subsequent time. For example: "I can save my progress and "finish later"".

What's a more formal alternative to "finish later"?

A more formal alternative would be "complete subsequently" or "finalize at a later stage". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "I will finish it later on"?

Yes, "I will finish it later on" is grammatically correct and means the same as "I will "finish later"". The addition of "on" simply adds emphasis.

What's the difference between "finish later" and "resume later"?

"Finish later" implies completing something at a subsequent time, while "resume later" means to continue something after an interruption. "Resume" indicates that you've already started the task.