have finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"have finished" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense form of the verb "to finish," and it is used to express an action that was completed at some point in the past and has a connection to the present. Example: I have finished my project and I'm ready to present it tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would have finished it".

Independent

Few have finished high school.

The Economist

None have finished higher than 11th.

The New York Times - Sports

High schooler could have finished it.

The New York Times

Only 17 percent have finished college.

The New York Times - Magazine

He would never have finished college.

The New York Times - Sports

But still, he should have finished it.

Independent

Mr Karzai may not have finished meddling.

The Economist

I know you could have finished it".

The New York Times

Their children have finished college.

The New York Times

Inspections have finished in Iraq".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have finished", ensure the subject and verb agree. For example, use "I have finished" or "They have finished", but not "I has finished".

Common error

Avoid using "have finished" when a simple past tense is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "I "have finished" the book yesterday", use "I finished the book yesterday" if the time is specified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have finished" functions as a present perfect verb, indicating an action completed at some point in the past that has relevance to the present. Ludwig's examples show its wide use in contexts where completion matters now.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0.03%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have finished" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the completion of an action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a present perfect verb and is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. When writing with "have finished", remember to emphasize the current impact of the completed action, and avoid using it when simple past tense is more suitable. Consider alternatives like "completed" or "concluded" for different nuances. Be mindful of tense usage to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completed

Single word synonym; more concise.

concluded

Formal synonym, often used in academic or official contexts.

finalized

Emphasis on the final stage of completion and approval.

are done with

More informal and conversational.

brought to a close

More descriptive and formal, emphasizing the process of ending.

wrapped up

Informal, suggesting a neat and tidy completion.

fulfilled

Highlights the satisfaction of achieving a goal.

put the finishing touches on

Emphasizes the final details and refinements.

ceased

Formal term indicating the termination of an action or process.

achieved closure on

Emphasizes the sense of resolution and completion, often used in emotional or psychological contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "have finished" in a sentence?

Use "have finished" to describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that is relevant to the present. For example, "I "have finished" my work, so I am free to go home".

What can I say instead of "have finished"?

You can use alternatives like "completed", "concluded", or "are done with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have finished" or "had finished"?

"Have finished" is present perfect, indicating completion relevant to the present. "Had finished" is past perfect, indicating completion before another point in the past. Choose based on the timeline you're describing.

What's the difference between "have finished" and "finished"?

"Have finished" (present perfect) often emphasizes the present result of a past action, while "finished" (simple past) simply states the action's completion in the past without necessarily linking it to the present.