finish work late

USAGE SUMMARY

"finish work late" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase when you want to describe how long you worked on a certain task, for example: "I had to finish work late to make sure the job was done properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We finish work late at night, and sometimes we come here without sleeping".

The New York Times

And it takes into consideration the thousands of people who start or finish work late to keep our global city running 24/7, too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lawson W. Brigham, chairman of the three-year Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment that is scheduled to finish work this year, told the gathering that more than 5,400 vessels of 100 tons or larger operated in Arctic waters in the summer of 2004.

The New York Times

One of the best way to keep you productive is to check your calendar what you've got on the next day when you finish work today. . 5. Say No I've been receiving increasing number of emails from people wanting to be interviewed, 'quick' business questions, coffee dates and previously, I said yes to everything.

Huffington Post

I finished work last week.

The Guardian - Travel

Lawmakers finished work early today on a new Brazilian Constitution that replaces the charter drawn up two decades ago by generals.

The New York Times

I vowed not to take on any other commitments and for the first time since finishing work 10 years ago we really appreciate retirement.

Independent

If she finishes work early enough (her hours vary from episode to episode, she says), she heads to school after hours and spends time catching up on classwork.

The New York Times

Republicans finished work today on a platform that embraces much of Gov. George W. Bush's educational agenda, over the objections of some conservatives who warned that the party was breaking with the get-the-government-off-our-backs philosophy of the Reagan revolution.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Mr. McTiernan finished work last month on "The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove," a documentary that describes what it argues is a relentless legal pursuit of Democratic political operatives under the Bush administration, with the Pellicano case in a central role.

The New York Times

First, it's based on the president's 2003 request for a 5% hike, a number that Congress is almost certain to surpass when it finishes work next month on the budget for the fiscal year that began 1 October.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific work schedules, specify the actual time. For example, instead of just saying "finish work late", provide the time you completed the work: "finish work at 10 p.m."

Common error

Avoid using "finish work late" when "working overtime" or "staying late" would be more precise. "Overtime" implies extra compensation or contractual obligation, while "staying late" simply suggests remaining longer than usual. Choose the term that best matches the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finish work late" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of work tasks beyond the usual or expected time. The Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finish work late" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the completion of work beyond standard hours. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare and can often be substituted with more precise terms like "work overtime" or "stay late at work" to convey the specific nuance. The phrase appears mostly in news media, and its formality is neutral, suitable for various contexts depending on the overall communication's tone. Remember to specify the actual time if you can to be more precise, and choose terms based on contextual implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work late hours

Focuses on the duration of work rather than the completion time.

work overtime

Specifically implies working beyond the standard working hours, often for additional pay.

stay late at work

Highlights the location (workplace) and the act of remaining there after hours.

keep working until late

Emphasizes the continuation of work into the late hours.

extend working hours

Suggests a formal or planned extension of the workday.

be detained at work

Implies a less voluntary aspect of staying late.

work until the wee hours

Emphasizes extreme lateness.

burn the midnight oil

An idiomatic expression for working late, typically studying or writing.

work against the clock

Highlights the pressure of limited time and the need to work quickly, potentially leading to working late.

put in extra time

Highlights dedicating additional time to work tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "finish work late" in a sentence?

You can use "finish work late" to describe completing your work tasks beyond the standard working hours. For example, "I had to finish work late to meet the deadline."

What does it mean to "finish work late"?

To "finish work late" means to complete your work tasks and leave your workplace later than your usual or scheduled time.

What's the difference between "finish work late" and working overtime?

While both imply working beyond regular hours, "finish work late" is a general term, whereas working "overtime" often implies a contractual obligation or expectation of additional compensation.

What are some alternatives to "finish work late"?

Alternatives include "work late hours", "stay late at work", or "work overtime", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.