finishing when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finishing when" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a specific time or condition under which something is completed, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "I will let you know the deadline for the project, but I am still deciding on finishing when."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In fact, the last speaker was just finishing when police arrived to halt the meeting.

University of California, Berkeley

" Life is about getting to the basket and finishing when you do.

The New York Times - Sports

She had narrowly missed her goal, but was happy to be finishing when the first bomb exploded.

The New York Times - Sports

Montsho's father, who advanced through senior secondary school, finishing when he was 20, built their home, a modest construction of bricks with a tin roof and electricity.

The New York Times - Sports

She jumped two years at school, finishing when she was just 16. "I just get addicted to doing work and getting rewards from doing it.

The Guardian - Music

He is planning to whisk Sara to Paris the next morning, leaving Louise the farewell letter that he was finishing when she unexpectedly barged in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Students "finish" when they finish.

Nature

They finish when they finish.

The Guardian - Sport

You finish when you finish".

The New York Times

He is finished when he quits".

Independent

Suez had just finished when I joined.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "finishing when" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "completing at", "ending at", or restructuring the sentence for improved clarity. Pay attention to the temporal relationship you are trying to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "finishing when" if the sequence of events becomes unclear. Ensure that the relationship between the finishing action and the subsequent event is explicitly stated using words like "after", "upon", or "at the time of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finishing when" functions as part of a relative clause, attempting to specify a time or condition for the completion of an action. However, as Ludwig AI notes, it is grammatically questionable and may lack clarity in many contexts. The available examples use it to mark the end point of a process or event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "finishing when" is grammatically ambiguous and potentially unclear, as noted by Ludwig AI. Although examples exist across various domains such as News & Media, Science, and Academia, it's advisable to use clearer alternatives like "completing at", "ending at", or restructuring the sentence. The intended purpose is often to establish a temporal connection between finishing an action and another event. For formal writing, avoid "finishing when" in favor of more precise constructions. The expert rating reflects the phrase's grammatical issues and lack of consistent, correct usage. Therefore, while the phrase appears in some contexts, writers should exercise caution and opt for more explicit and grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing when

Replaces "finishing" with "completing", which offers a slightly more formal tone but maintains a similar structure. Slightly less confusing, but semantically problematic.

ending when

Substitutes "finishing" with "ending", emphasizing the termination point of an activity or period. May be used to mark the final portion or point of an activity.

concluding when

Replaces "finishing" with "concluding", suitable for formal settings or structured events. Useful if there is a clearly defined conclusion.

at the completion of

Transforms the phrase to focus on the state of completion. Shifts focus to a noun construction.

upon finishing

Uses a gerund to emphasize the act of finishing as a condition. More grammatically acceptable, this may imply consequence.

after finishing

Focuses on sequence and temporal aspect of the completion. Less confusing, but the meaning shifts to posteriority.

when finishing

Reorders the phrase to place emphasis on time of completion. Might cause temporal ambiguity.

as finishing

Emphasizes the ongoing action of finishing. May be used to state cause during the process.

by the time of finishing

Stresses the target time of the finishing.

during finishing

Focuses on an event happening in parallel with the finishing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "finishing when" to be more grammatically correct?

Consider alternatives like "completing at", "ending at", or restructuring your sentence to clarify the sequence of events. For instance, use "after "completing"" or "upon "finishing"".

What's a more formal way to express the idea of "finishing when"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "at the completion of" or "upon concluding". These options provide a more polished and grammatically acceptable structure.

Is there a difference between using "finishing when" and "after finishing"?

"After finishing" clearly indicates that one action follows another. The phrase "finishing when" is grammatically questionable and can lead to ambiguity, it's better to rephrase with "after "finishing"" to ensure clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "finishing when" in writing?

Given its grammatical ambiguity, it's best to avoid "finishing when" in formal or professional writing. There are clearer and more precise alternatives available that will enhance the readability and credibility of your work. If the text is informal it may still be avoided, but always consider the temporal relation of your sentence.