he was done

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was done" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that an activity, project, task, or process has been completed. For example: "He had been working on the report all night, but by morning he was done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was done.

The New York Times

When he was done, he was done".

The New York Times

Now he was done.

The New York Times - Sports

By two-thirty, he was done.

The New Yorker

He was done working with the dead.

Independent

Two songs later he was done.

The New York Times - Arts

When he was done, he smiled.

The New York Times

He was done with business lunches.

The New York Times

He was done taking care of Molly.

The New Yorker

He was done a week later.

The New Yorker

"Most teams thought he was done".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was done" to clearly indicate the completion of a task, activity, or phase, providing a sense of closure or transition to the next step.

Common error

Avoid using "he was done" when the context requires a more specific description of the completion, such as the quality of the work or the reason for stopping. Alternatives like "he had finished it carefully" or "he stopped due to lack of resources" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was done" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has completed an action, task, or phase. As Ludwig AI states, it signals that an activity, project, or process has been completed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was done" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the completion of an action or task. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves the purpose of signaling closure or finality. While various alternative phrases exist, like "he had finished" or "he was through", the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of completion, and avoid it when more specific descriptions are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had finished

Emphasizes the completion of an action or task.

he was finished

Similar to the original phrase, but slightly more emphatic about being over.

he was through

Implies that someone is no longer involved or associated with something.

he had completed it

Focuses on the successful completion of a specific task or project.

he was all set

Suggests being prepared and ready, often implying completion of necessary preparations.

he was ready

Indicates a state of preparedness, often implying the completion of prior steps.

he was at the end

Signifies reaching the conclusion of something, whether a task or a situation.

he reached the end

Highlights the act of arriving at a final point or outcome.

he wrapped it up

Suggests concluding something efficiently and neatly.

he called it quits

Implies a decision to stop or abandon something, often due to difficulty or frustration.

FAQs

How can I use "he was done" in a sentence?

You can use "he was done" to indicate the completion of an action. For example, "After working on the project for weeks, he was done".

What's the difference between "he was done" and "he was finished"?

While similar, "he was done" can sometimes imply a sense of finality or disengagement, whereas "he was finished" simply indicates completion. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Consider alternatives like "he had finished" for a more direct emphasis on task completion.

What can I say instead of "he was done"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "he had finished", "he was through", or "he was all set".

Is "he is done" grammatically correct, and how does it differ from "he was done"?

"He is done" is grammatically correct but indicates a present state of completion, whereas "he was done" refers to a past completion. The choice depends on the time frame you're describing.