he finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a male subject has completed a task or activity. Example: "After hours of hard work, he finished the project just in time for the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or is he finished?

The New York Times - Arts

Still, he finished.

The New York Times - Sports

So is he finished?

The Guardian - Opinion

He finished 21st Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished his L.S.U.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished his book.

The New Yorker

He finished with 27.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished the race.

The New York Times - Sports

He finished third there.

The New York Times

He finished to applause.

The New York Times

(He finished fifth overall).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. Instead of always using "he finished", consider synonyms like "he completed", "he concluded", or "he wrapped up" to make your writing more engaging.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inappropriately. If you start a sentence or paragraph in the past tense using "he finished", maintain that tense throughout unless there's a clear reason to switch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he finished" typically functions as a declarative statement indicating the completion of an action by a male subject. It combines a pronoun ("he") with a verb in the past tense ("finished") to convey that something has been brought to an end. Ludwig confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he finished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to indicate that a male subject has completed an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While simple, it effectively serves its purpose. Alternatives exist and depending on the desired nuance the word choice can improve the style of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he completed

Substitutes "finished" with a more formal equivalent, highlighting the successful accomplishment of something.

he concluded

Replaces "finished" with a synonym that emphasizes the act of bringing something to an end.

he wrapped up

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the idea of bringing something to a satisfactory conclusion.

he was done

Uses a passive voice construction to express the completion of an action, changing the sentence structure.

he finalized

Substitutes "finished" with a word emphasizing the final and complete nature of the action.

he was through

Offers an informal alternative to "finished", indicating the end of an activity.

he accomplished

Replaces "finished" with a word that emphasizes achieving a goal or completing a task successfully.

he ceased

Replaces "finished" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate stopping of an action.

he executed

Offers a more formal and precise alternative, particularly suitable when referring to plans or tasks.

he reached the end

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the completion of a process or journey.

FAQs

How can I use "he finished" in a sentence?

Use "he finished" to indicate that a male subject has completed an action or task. For example, "He finished the race" or "He finished reading the book".

What are some alternatives to "he finished"?

Alternatives include "he completed", "he concluded", "he was done", or "he wrapped up". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is finished" instead of "he finished"?

While "he finished" refers to a completed action, "he is finished" often implies that someone is done with something permanently or is in a state of completion. It can also mean "he is defeated" or no longer effective.

What does "he finished up" mean?

"He finished up" is a phrasal verb that means "he completed" or concluded something. It's often used informally to indicate that someone has finalized a task or activity. For example, "He finished up his work for the day".