finished dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"finished dinner" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the completion of an event like eating dinner, for example: "We had a wonderful night - we finished dinner around 9:30."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

After @POTUS finished dinner w.

The Washington Post

When he finished dinner he had 5% battery power left.

The Guardian

We had finished dinner and were sitting in the living room.

The New Yorker

When I finished dinner at the bar one night, Nardoca came over.

The New York Times

We had finished dinner and my husband was on the other line.

The New York Times

I'd finished dinner and paid the check, but somehow I couldn't summon the strength to rise from the table.

The New York Times

The police found them on a roadside in Harrisburg, Pa., where they had just finished dinner in their van.

The New York Times

Soon after she had finished dinner on the train she arrived in Reno, quite late at night.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I like to have him there as soon as we finish dinner.

The New Yorker

It glowed; there was the chatter of a dozen people finishing dinner.

The New Yorker

We're finishing dinner, a few floors up from Sin City's first "pop-up" chapel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sequence of events, ensure clarity by specifying the time or context in which you "finished dinner", for example: "After we finished dinner, we went for a walk."

Common error

Avoid using "finished to dinner". The correct form is "finished dinner" or "finished eating dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished dinner" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of the act of eating dinner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The examples show it is often used to set the stage for subsequent actions or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finished dinner" is a grammatically sound and very common way to describe the completion of the evening meal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. Analysis of the search results indicates its prevalence in neutral contexts like News & Media, signifying its suitability for both formal and informal use. While alternatives such as "completed supper" or "ended the evening meal" exist, "finished dinner" remains the most straightforward and widely understood option. Remember to avoid the erroneous form "finished to dinner" for grammatically correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed supper

Replaces "dinner" with "supper", implying a later evening meal, which is a more regional way to name dinner.

concluded the evening meal

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe the act of ending dinner.

was done eating dinner

Emphasizes the act of eating rather than just finishing the meal event.

wrapped up dinner

Suggests a sense of completing the entire dinner process including cleanup.

brought dinner to a close

A more stylized and formal way to describe the end of dinner.

ended the dinner service

Often used in a restaurant or formal setting where dinner is served.

cleared the dinner table

Focuses on the action that immediately follows finishing dinner.

dessert marked the end of dinner

Highlights dessert as the final part of the dinner experience.

the dinner was over

A simple statement that the event of dinner has ended.

we were through with dinner

An informal way of saying that dinner is finished, emphasizing the group aspect.

FAQs

How to use "finished dinner" in a sentence?

You can use "finished dinner" to describe the completion of the meal, for example, "We finished dinner and then watched a movie" or "After I finished dinner, I did the dishes".

What can I say instead of "finished dinner"?

You can use alternatives like "completed supper", "ended the meal", or "was done eating dinner" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "finished dinner" or "finished to dinner"?

"Finished dinner" is correct. "Finished to dinner" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "finished dinner" and "finished eating dinner"?

"Finished dinner" refers to the completion of the entire meal event, while "finished eating dinner" specifically emphasizes the act of eating. They are often interchangeable, but the latter adds a focus on the consumption of food.