finishing up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finishing up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are about to complete an activity or task. For example, "I am finishing up my report for the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I'm finishing up.

The New Yorker

The band was finishing up.

The New York Times

I'm just finishing up here.

The New Yorker

We are finishing up our cheesecake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now I haven't gotten near finishing up.

The New Yorker

SHEPHERD is finishing up a crossword puzzle.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Finish up with bent knees.

The New York Times

Liza! — had just finished up.

The New York Times

"Finish up this one.

The New Yorker

"We finished up last week".

The New York Times

Brian Bruney and Mariano Rivera finished up.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finishing up" to indicate the near completion of a task, emphasizing that the end is in sight. This can be useful in project management or when updating someone on your progress.

Common error

While "finishing up" is widely accepted, avoid it in highly formal writing where a more sophisticated term like "concluding" or "finalizing" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "finishing up" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of bringing something to a close or near completion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, demonstrated by its frequent occurrence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "finishing up" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that indicates the near completion of a task or activity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While it may be too informal for certain academic or scientific settings, its straightforward meaning and widespread use make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit. Remember to use it when you want to clearly signal that something is drawing to a close.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrapping up

Implies bringing something to a conclusion, often used when summarizing or finalizing a discussion or project.

completing

Focuses on the action of making something whole or entire, often used in formal contexts.

finalizing

Suggests making the last changes or arrangements to something, often emphasizing attention to detail.

concluding

Refers to formally ending a process or event, often used in academic or professional settings.

putting the final touches on

Implies adding the last details to perfect something, suggesting a focus on aesthetics or quality.

bringing to a close

A more formal way of saying finishing, often used in speeches or written reports.

putting the lid on

An informal way of indicating that something is definitely finished and will not be revisited.

sealing the deal

Focuses on completing an agreement or transaction, often used in business contexts.

putting a bow on it

Suggests completing something in a neat and attractive way, often used metaphorically.

calling it a day

Indicates stopping work for the day, implying completion of the intended tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "finishing up" to indicate that you are in the process of completing something. For example, "I'm "finishing up" my report and will send it to you shortly."

What are some alternatives to "finishing up"?

Some alternatives to "finishing up" include "wrapping up", "completing", or "finalizing" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "finishing up" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "finishing up" may be too informal for highly formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "concluding" or "finalizing" in such cases.

What's the difference between "finishing up" and "ending up"?

"Finishing up" implies completing a task or activity, while "ending up" refers to the outcome or result of a series of events. For example, "I'm "finishing up" my work," versus "I "ended up" going to the store."