finished high school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finished high school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has completed their secondary education. Example: "After years of hard work, she finally finished high school and was ready to pursue her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I finished high school.

The New York Times - Sports

She had finished high school.

The New Yorker

Some never finished high school.

The New York Times

Few have finished high school.

The Economist

He never finished high school.

The New Yorker

Neither finished high school.

The New York Times

(She finished high school through correspondence courses).

The New York Times - Arts

Neither of them had finished high school.

The New York Times

Whether Bernard finished high school is uncertain.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Burks finished high school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I finished high school… and I'm a multimedia artist.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, especially in formal writing, specify if the individual received a diploma or equivalent certification upon finishing high school.

Common error

While "finished high school" is generally acceptable, "graduated from high school" is often more appropriate when emphasizing the formal ceremony and recognition of completing high school. Use "graduated" when referring to the graduation event itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished high school" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of secondary education. It is widely used to describe a person's educational attainment, as shown in Ludwig's examples. It is a straightforward way to communicate that someone has completed their high school studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finished high school" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the completion of secondary education. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "graduated from high school" may be more appropriate in formal settings, "finished high school" remains a versatile and clear choice. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality when choosing between these options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graduated from high school

Emphasizes the achievement and formal recognition of completing high school.

completed high school

A more formal and direct way of stating that high school education was finished.

obtained a high school diploma

Focuses on the document received upon finishing high school.

high school graduate

Refers to someone who has finished high school, used as a noun.

secondary school graduate

Uses the term "secondary school" as a synonym for high school.

passed high school

Indicates successful completion of high school coursework.

ended high school

A simple way of expressing the termination of high school education.

concluded high school

A formal alternative to "finished", indicating the end of high school.

left high school with a diploma

Highlights the act of leaving high school with a formal qualification.

received a high school education

Focuses on the act of receiving an education up to the high school level.

FAQs

What is the difference between "finished high school" and "graduated from high school"?

"Finished high school" simply means completing the required coursework. "Graduated from high school" implies participating in a graduation ceremony and receiving a diploma. While both can be used interchangeably, "graduated from high school" often carries a stronger connotation of formal achievement.

What are some alternative ways to say "finished high school"?

You can use phrases like "completed high school", "obtained a high school diploma", or "high school graduate" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "finished high school"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It clearly indicates that someone has completed their secondary education. However, ensure the context aligns with the level of formality you intend to convey.

How can I use "finished high school" in a sentence?

You can use it in various ways, such as: "She finished high school and went on to college." Or: "After he finished high school, he started working to support his family." The phrase can fit seamlessly into diverse sentence structures.