finishing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finishing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of completing a task or project that has been previously mentioned. Example: "I just need a few more minutes for finishing that report before I can submit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

." Cooke stopped short of finishing that sentence, prompting more laughter.

The Washington Post

I can't see any point in finishing that sentence.

The New York Times

It's the fear of not finishing that keeps me from finishing.

The New Yorker

But I'll let you know soon, because they're going to be finishing that meeting pretty soon.

The Washington Post

Sipping Pimms while finishing that commission is not a bad way of spending a summer evening.

The Guardian

Backup batteries will give you enough time to shut down your system, but you can forget about finishing that presentation.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Have we finished that task?

Independent

"She finished that race.

The New York Times - Sports

I done finished that already.

Yale University

Did you finish that blue drink?

The New York Times - Food

Maybe he'll finish that novel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "finishing that", ensure the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "finishing that" can sound too informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "completing that" or "finalizing that" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finishing that" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use as the object of a preposition or as part of a verb phrase indicating ongoing action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finishing that" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to denote the completion of a task or project. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "completing that". Its high frequency and consistent usage in reputable sources make it a reliable choice for expressing finalization. Ludwig's examples show how this expression is highly versatile in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing that

Replaces the gerund "finishing" with "completing", maintaining a direct synonymity and similar grammatical structure.

finalizing that

Substitutes "finishing" with "finalizing", emphasizing the act of making something complete and ready.

concluding that

Uses "concluding" instead of "finishing", focusing on bringing something to an end or a conclusion.

wrapping that up

Offers a more informal alternative, suggesting the act of neatly finishing or completing something.

bringing that to a close

Rephrases the idea to emphasize the act of closing or ending something.

putting the final touches on that

Highlights the last steps taken to complete something, adding a sense of refinement.

getting that done

A more general way of saying something is being completed, suitable for various contexts.

seeing that through to the end

Emphasizes the commitment to completing something from start to finish.

sealing the deal on that

Suggests a more decisive and final completion, particularly in business or negotiations.

sewing that up

An idiomatic expression implying that something is being neatly and securely finished.

FAQs

What does "finishing that" mean?

"Finishing that" refers to the act of completing a specific task, project, or item that has been previously mentioned or is clearly understood in the context. It implies bringing something to its final stage or conclusion.

What can I say instead of "finishing that"?

You can use alternatives like "completing that", "finalizing that", or "concluding that" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is "finishing that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "finishing that" is grammatically correct. It uses the gerund form of the verb "finish" followed by the demonstrative pronoun "that" to refer to a specific item or task being completed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

How can I use "finishing that" in a sentence?

You can use "finishing that" in a sentence like this: "I'll be "finishing that" report by the end of the day." or "He is focused on "finishing that" project before the deadline."