finished reading

USAGE SUMMARY

"finished reading" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have completed the action of reading. For example: "I finished reading the novel yesterday and found it to be very enjoyable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I finished reading it feeling very sad.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Coetzee had finished reading.

The New York Times - Books

"I finished reading it, it's very interesting.

The New Yorker

And I have just finished reading it.

The Guardian

Haunts you long after you've finished reading".

The Guardian - Books

"Wow," said Roger, as Simone finished reading.

The New Yorker

Samia and I both finished reading.

The Guardian

"Good," she said, when she'd finished reading.

The New Yorker

The students had just finished reading a book on apartheid.

The New York Times

Santek was dismayed as she finished reading the court files.

The New Yorker

He recently finished reading the Bible and started the Koran.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis on the action of finishing before another activity, consider using the past perfect tense: "Having finished reading, I went to bed."

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when describing a past event. For example, instead of saying "I finish reading the book yesterday", say "I finished reading the book yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished reading" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the completion of the action of reading. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to describe having completed reading material, whether it is a book, an article, or any other written document.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finished reading" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the completion of a reading activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While most frequently encountered in News & Media, it also appears in Wiki and Formal & Business sources. To vary your language, consider alternatives such as "completed reading" or "concluded reading". Remember to use the correct tense and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed reading

Replaces "finished" with "completed", emphasizing the act of bringing the reading to an end.

concluded reading

Substitutes "finished" with "concluded", suggesting a more formal or deliberate ending.

was done reading

Uses a passive construction to indicate the completion of reading.

had finished reading

Employs the past perfect tense to emphasize the completion of reading before a subsequent event.

I'm through reading

Expresses completion in a more informal, conversational manner.

finished the book

Specifies "book" as the object of reading, focusing on the completion of a specific item.

am finished with the reading

Emphasizes being done with a specific reading assignment or task.

ceased reading

A more formal and less common way to express the stopping of reading.

wrapped up reading

Suggests a sense of completion and finalization of the reading activity.

brought the reading to a close

A more elaborate and formal way of saying that the reading has ended.

FAQs

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

You can use "finished reading" to describe the completion of a reading activity. For example, "I finished reading the report this morning" or "She finished reading the novel before the movie adaptation came out".

What are some alternatives to "finished reading"?

Some alternatives include "completed reading", "concluded reading", or "was done reading", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "I am finished reading"?

While "I am finished reading" is grammatically acceptable, it's less common than "I have finished reading" or "I finished reading". The latter options are generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "finished reading" and "finished to read"?

"Finished reading" indicates the completion of the act of reading. "Finished to read" is not standard English; instead, use "finished reading" or rephrase the sentence. For example, instead of "I finished to read the book", say "I finished reading the book".