finished by then

USAGE SUMMARY

"finished by then" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English that can be used in many contexts.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "I'm confident that I can have the project finished by then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

She would have to be finished by then, he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

And, although the unit is funded until 2019, its work may not be finished by then.

Independent

— and were still incomplete by 7 p.m.— should, mercifully, be finished by then.

The New York Times - Sports

Some people were still praying, some were not, because the dawn prayer had finished by then.

The New Yorker

I don't understand, the game had finished by then but he still sent me off for kicking the ball".

The Guardian - Sport

Karzai is scheduled to leave office on August 3rd, but it is not likely that the vote audit will be finished by then.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It's a bar after 8 p.m., so if you're with children, plan on finishing by then.

The New York Times - Travel

The king's birthday is next week, and it's likely that protests will finish by then – it would be seen as disrespectful to continue.

Vice

If it's not finished by Christmas then I'll go back after and finish it then.

The Guardian - Music

The winged lion being finished by Beyro, then, could be a replacement for a replacement.

The New Yorker

If building and installation aren't finished by September, what then?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finished by then" to clearly indicate a deadline or point in time before which something must be completed. For example, "The report needs to be finished by then, so we can present it at the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "finished by then" when you actually mean 'started by then' or 'in progress by then'. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects that the task will be entirely complete before the specified time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished by then" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action will be completed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in setting deadlines and expectations for task completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finished by then" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating completion before a specified time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. It's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. To enhance clarity, ensure "finished by then" accurately conveys the meaning of completed and consider synonyms like "completed by then" or "finalized by then" to suit different nuances. When writing, be sure to clearly define project deadlines and scope to effectively use "finished by then" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed by then

Replaces "finished" with a synonym emphasizing the act of bringing something to a conclusion.

finalized by then

Similar to "completed by then", but suggests a process of making something definitive or official.

concluded by then

Implies a more formal or decisive ending compared to "finished".

done by then

More informal and general, suitable for everyday conversation.

over by then

Suggests the cessation or termination of an event or activity.

brought to a close by then

A more verbose alternative, emphasizing the act of closing or ending something.

wrapped up by then

Informal, suggests completing all necessary tasks or details.

settled by then

Implies that an issue or matter has been resolved or decided.

achieved by then

Focuses on the successful attainment of a goal or objective.

in the past by then

Highlights that something will be a thing of the past at that point.

FAQs

How can I use "finished by then" in a sentence?

You can use "finished by then" to indicate that something needs to be completed before a specific time. For example, "The project should be "completed by then", or we'll miss the deadline."

What is a synonym for "finished by then"?

Alternatives include "completed by then", "finalized by then", or "concluded by then". Choose the best fit based on the specific context.

Is it better to say "finished by then" or "will be finished by then"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "finished by then" is more concise. "Will be finished by then" adds emphasis to the future completion but can sometimes sound redundant.

What's the difference between "finished by then" and "finished at that time"?

"Finished by then" implies a deadline, emphasizing completion before a specific point in time. "Finished at that time" simply states the action was completed at that moment, without necessarily indicating it was a deadline.