finished well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finished well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the successful completion of a task, project, or event, often implying that it ended positively or satisfactorily. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, the project was finished well, and the team received praise for their hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they finished well.

The Guardian - Sport

And after he finished well.

The Guardian - Sport

The film finished well after 1am.

The Guardian - Film

The Mets started poorly but finished well.

The New York Times - Sports

She finished well behind the medalists.

The New York Times

Both finished well down the pack.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I think it finished well for us".

The New York Times - Sports

Howe finished well under.500 both years with the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

Jones, the world champion, finished well ahead of the field.

The New York Times - Sports

After a disastrous start last year they finished well.

The Guardian - Sport

It was that Left Bank really finished well today.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finished well" to convey a sense of accomplishment or a positive conclusion to a task, event, or period. For instance, "The team struggled initially, but they finished well, exceeding all expectations."

Common error

Avoid using "finished well" to describe an ongoing action. It's best used to reflect on a completed process. For example, instead of saying "He's finishing well", opt for "He's performing well" if the action is still in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finished well" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used as a predicate to describe the successful or positive conclusion of an event, activity, or process. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finished well" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating a successful or positive conclusion. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Sport. While neutral in register, it can be used in both formal and informal settings. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "concluded successfully" might be preferable. Remember to use "finished well" to describe completed actions and avoid using it for ongoing activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concluded successfully

Emphasizes the successful completion of a task or event.

completed admirably

Highlights the praiseworthy nature of the completion.

ended on a high note

Suggests a particularly positive or triumphant conclusion.

closed out strong

Implies a powerful and effective final performance.

wrapped up nicely

Indicates a neat and satisfactory conclusion.

culminated positively

Focuses on the positive result at the end of a process.

executed flawlessly

Stresses the error-free and perfect completion.

performed effectively

Emphasizes the efficient and successful carrying out of an action.

delivered outstandingly

Highlights the exceptional quality of the final result.

closed successfully

Suggests a positive outcome for a closure of some sort.

FAQs

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

You can use "finished well" to describe the successful completion of a task or event. For example: "Despite a rocky start, the project "finished well"".

What are some alternatives to "finished well"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "concluded successfully", "completed admirably", or "ended on a high note".

Is it more appropriate to say "finished well" or "ended well"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "finished well" often implies a sense of accomplishment or skillful execution, while "ended well" simply suggests a positive outcome. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What does it mean to say something "finished well"?

To say something "finished well" means it concluded successfully or in a positive manner, often after overcoming challenges or difficulties. It suggests that the final result was satisfactory or even exceeded expectations.