finished first

USAGE SUMMARY

"finished first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone comes in first place in a competition or race. For example, "She finished first in the 5k race and was awarded the gold medal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Lysacek finished first.

The New York Times - Sports

Wölffer finished first.

The New York Times

"We finished first.

The New York Times

She finished first.

The New York Times - Sports

Plaid Cymru finished first.

The Guardian - Opinion

White finished first in qualifying Friday night.

The New York Times - Sports

The Capitals finished first, at 26.8 percent.

The New York Times - Sports

They finished first, second and third.

The New York Times

Greene finished first in 9.93.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, the Yankees finished first at 95-67.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished first in his class.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finished first" to clearly and concisely indicate that someone or something has achieved the highest rank or won a competition. This phrase is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what "finished first" refers to. If there are multiple categories or stages, specify which one is being referenced to avoid confusion. For instance, specify "finished first in qualifying" or "finished first in their group".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished first" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an event or competition with the highest ranking. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finished first" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something has achieved the top position in a competition, race, or ranking. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in News & Media and Sports contexts. When using "finished first", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and consider alternatives like "won first place" or "came in first" for variety. Remember to specify the category or stage to which the phrase refers for increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

won first place

Focuses specifically on winning a competition or event.

came in first

A more informal way of saying someone finished in the top position.

achieved first position

Emphasizes the accomplishment of reaching the highest rank.

secured first place

Highlights the act of obtaining or guaranteeing the top position.

topped the rankings

Indicates that someone or something reached the highest position in a list or classification.

emerged victorious

Suggests a triumphant outcome after a challenge or competition.

led the field

Implies being ahead of all competitors at the end of an event.

grabbed the gold

Informal, implies winning a gold medal in a competition.

outstripped the competition

Highlights surpassing competitors and achieving victory.

clinched the top spot

Suggests securing the first position, often after a hard-fought contest.

FAQs

How can I use "finished first" in a sentence?

You can use "finished first" to describe someone or something that has won or achieved the highest position in a competition, race, or ranking. For example, "She finished first in the marathon" or "The team finished first in their division".

What are some alternatives to "finished first"?

Some alternatives to "finished first" include "won first place", "came in first", or "achieved first position", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "finished first"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "finished first". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used and understood.

What is the difference between "finished first" and "placed first"?

"Finished first" is generally used to describe the act of completing something in the top position, while "placed first" is more commonly used to describe the ranking or position achieved. While they are often interchangeable, "finished first" implies a sense of completion, whereas "placed first" simply indicates the final rank.