it was finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been completed or concluded in the past. Example: "After months of hard work, it was finished, and we could finally celebrate our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was finished in 2003.

The New York Times

And then it was finished.

Independent

It was finished on Dec. 9.

The New Yorker

After him, it was finished".

The New Yorker

It was finished in 1865.

The Guardian

It's important that afterwards it was finished.

Independent

Three weeks later, it was finished.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was finish it or die.

The New Yorker

"It is finished, Father".

The New Yorker

"It's finished now.

The New York Times - Sports

Let it be finished".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was finished" to clearly indicate the completion of a task, project, or process in the past. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was finished" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the 'it' refers to something explicitly mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was finished" functions as a passive construction indicating the completion of an action or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express that something has reached its end point. Examples in Ludwig show its application across various contexts, marking the termination of projects, events, or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was finished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the completion of something in the past. As verified by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "it was completed" or "it was done" may suit specific contexts, the phrase remains a reliable way to communicate that a task, project, or event has come to a close. Remember to ensure clarity by providing a clear antecedent for 'it' to avoid ambiguity. It is predominantly used in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was completed

Emphasizes the act of making something whole or entire.

it was done

A simpler and more direct way to express completion.

it came to an end

Replaces "finished" with a more general term for cessation.

it was finalized

Highlights the official or formal completion of something.

it concluded

Uses a more formal verb to indicate completion.

it reached its end

Focuses on the endpoint or culmination of something.

it drew to a close

A more literary way of saying something ended.

it wrapped up

An informal way of saying something finished.

it ceased

A formal term for stopping or terminating.

it terminated

A more technical term for bringing something to an end.

FAQs

How can I use "it was finished" in a sentence?

You can use "it was finished" to indicate that a task, project, or event has been completed. For example, "After months of hard work, "it was finished", and we could finally celebrate."

What are some alternatives to "it was finished"?

Some alternatives include "it was completed", "it was done", or "it came to an end". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "it was finished" formal or informal?

"It was finished" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, "it was completed" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "it was finished" and "it is finished"?

"It was finished" indicates that something was completed in the past, while "it is finished" indicates that something is currently completed. For example, "The project "it was finished" last week" versus "The project "it is finished" now".