finish the paperwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finish the paperwork" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the completion of necessary documents or forms, often in a professional or administrative context. Example: "Before we can proceed with your application, please make sure to finish the paperwork required for processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"So they can be back cooking before we finish the paperwork," Sheriff Shook said.

The New York Times

It said agents took deposits when they did not have time to finish the paperwork for contracts before the deadline of 9 p.m. Sunday.

The New York Times

Near the end of September, the Energy Department told SolarCity it would not be able to approve the guarantee after all, having run out of time to finish the paperwork before the program's deadline.

The New York Times

Sitting in a car through a long rainy night on a stakeout, one detective says, "Everybody thinks it's like on TV, everything's done in an hour, you finish the paperwork, and you go home to your family".

The New York Times - Arts

One farmer at the Friday market said 50percentt of his orange crop rots on the ground because it would take him a year to finish the paperwork required for an export license.

The New York Times

The E.P.A. and the Transportation Department now must finish the paperwork on the greenhouse gas and mileage standards for the 2012 to 2016 models so as to extend the benefits of California's rules nationwide.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But after Los Angeles, I'll take them back to New York, unless our attorney has finished the paperwork".

The New York Times

The transfer of the record title depends on Mr. Wallace's son Charley, the paper's publisher, finishing the paperwork that Guinness officials sent him weeks ago.

The New York Times

My dad is actually a pretty good shot, and could have done it himself — but he had not finished the paperwork for his gun.

The New Yorker

Mr. Levinsohn said Fox Interactive was still "finishing the paperwork" on the latest deal, and he made it clear that his checkbook remains open.

The New York Times

Barry Baum, a spokesman for the Nets, said the team would make a decision on whether to move to Newark later this month, after it finishes the paperwork on the financing of the arena it plans to build in Brooklyn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finish the paperwork", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific documents or forms are being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "finish the paperwork" without specifying the type of paperwork. Instead of saying "I need to finish the paperwork", specify "I need to finish the tax forms" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish the paperwork" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the completion of a task involving documents or forms. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from legal processes to administrative tasks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish the paperwork" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates the completion of necessary documents or forms. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely understood and appropriate for various contexts. While it is not overly formal, it's important to specify which paperwork is being referred to for clarity. Common alternatives include "complete the documentation" and "finalize the forms". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its role in describing administrative or bureaucratic processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete the documentation

Focuses on the act of completing the required documents, emphasizing thoroughness.

finalize the forms

Implies bringing the forms to a final, ready-to-submit state.

process the documents

Highlights the procedural aspect of handling and completing the documents.

wrap up the paperwork

Suggests concluding or finishing the paperwork efficiently.

get the paperwork done

A more casual way of saying to complete the paperwork.

take care of the paperwork

Indicates addressing and resolving the paperwork tasks.

clear the paperwork

Suggests removing or resolving a backlog of paperwork.

conclude the records

Implies reaching the end of a record-keeping process.

discharge the documents

Formal and less common, suggesting a release or completion of documents.

bring the files to a close

Emphasizes finalizing and closing a file or set of documents.

FAQs

How can I use "finish the paperwork" in a sentence?

You can use "finish the paperwork" in sentences like: "Before we can proceed, you need to "finish the paperwork".", or "The team is working hard to "finish the paperwork" before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "finish the paperwork"?

Some alternatives include "complete the documentation", "finalize the forms", or "process the documents", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to say "finish the paperwork" or "complete the paperwork"?

Both "finish the paperwork" and "complete the paperwork" are correct and widely used. The choice depends on the desired level of formality; "complete" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "finish the paperwork" and "do the paperwork"?

"Finish the paperwork" implies completing a task that's already in progress, while "do the paperwork" simply means to undertake or handle the required documents from the beginning.