had essentially finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had essentially finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has completed a task or activity, with a slight emphasis on the completeness of the action. Example: "By the time the meeting started, I had essentially finished my report and was ready to present."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Felzenberg said that the commission's staff investigators had essentially finished their work, though they would keep gathering information until shortly before publication of the final report.

The New York Times

Public Service Electric and Gas said it had essentially finished restoring power to customers who lost it during the hurricane and last week's snowstorm; fewer than 200 power failures surfaced Monday and were mostly dealt with by late afternoon.

The New York Times

To be honest I'm still a little in shock that it worked," he says Once the rover was down and checked out, the entry, descent and landing team had essentially finished their job.

The Guardian

Toyota may be feeling added urgency to get the car on the road, because General Motors said this month that it had "essentially finished" designing its first plug-in hybrid car, the Chevrolet Volt, and that a production-ready prototype would arrive soon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The prosecution has essentially finished presenting its case against the Libyan defendants, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah.

The New York Times

Alinghi's Coutts also reports that the Swiss have essentially finished raising the $124 million they expect to spend on the next Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

Evidently, Soderbergh has essentially finished the second film but, despite non-stop work in recent weeks, hasn't quite gotten the first half of the Benicio Del Toro starrer where he wants it.

Huffington Post

Dr. Bradstreet, director of the International Child Development Resource Center in Florida, said that Dr. Wakefield had not become involved with the lawyers representing the parents until after the study had essentially been finished.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo, at a news conference late Wednesday, even before the Assembly voted, said that he and the lawmakers had now essentially finished "50 percent of the budget" for the coming fiscal year, which begins April 1. "I think it's made it a lot simpler," he said.

The New York Times

In 2015 eight teams used closers who had essentially no experience finishing games with their teams leading.

Huffington Post

The deal, which will run through 2006, has essentially been finished since spring training.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had essentially finished" when you want to convey that something is mostly complete, but there might be some minor details left to address. It implies a state of near-completion with a touch of finality.

Common error

Avoid using "had essentially finished" when the task is significantly incomplete. The phrase suggests a high degree of completion, so ensure it aligns with the actual progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had essentially finished" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of near completion in the past. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English. It modifies a main verb, adding the nuance of almost complete accomplishment. Examples show its use in describing tasks, projects, or processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had essentially finished" is a grammatically correct and useful way to express near completion of a task in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media, and Science contexts, as well as Encyclopedias, conveying that the task was nearly completed, with perhaps only minor details left to address. Alternatives include phrases like "had nearly completed" or "was substantially done". When using this phrase, ensure that the task is, in fact, close to completion to avoid misleading the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had nearly completed

Indicates a state of almost being finished, focusing on the near completion rather than the finality.

had virtually concluded

Suggests completion to all intents and purposes, with a slightly more formal tone.

had practically wrapped up

Emphasizes the practical aspect of finishing, implying a hands-on conclusion.

had more or less ended

Highlights the ending or termination of something, rather than its completion.

was substantially done

Focuses on the amount of work completed, indicating that a large part is finished.

was close to completion

Highlights the proximity to being finished, without necessarily implying that the end is imminent.

had all but finalized

Emphasizes the finalizing aspect, suggesting only minor details remain.

had almost brought to a close

Indicates a nearing of the end, often used in a more narrative or descriptive context.

had effectively terminated

Highlights the effective ending or termination of something.

had substantially achieved

Shifts the focus to achievement and accomplishment, indicating a significant portion of the goal has been reached.

FAQs

How can I use "had essentially finished" in a sentence?

You can use "had essentially finished" to indicate that a task or project was nearly complete. For example, "By the time the client arrived, we "had essentially finished" the presentation".

What are some alternatives to "had essentially finished"?

Alternatives include "had nearly completed", "had virtually concluded", or "was substantially done". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "had essentially finished" or "had finished essentially"?

"Had essentially finished" is the more common and natural word order. Placing "essentially" after "finished" is grammatically correct but less idiomatic.

What is the difference between "had essentially finished" and "had completely finished"?

"Had completely finished" implies total completion with no remaining tasks. "Had essentially finished" suggests a state of near completion where only minor details might remain.