it was finite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was finite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that has a limited or bounded nature, often in mathematical, scientific, or philosophical contexts. Example: "The resources available for the project were finite, which required us to prioritize our tasks carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The number of laps left on it was finite, and he wanted to get in as many as he could before it was bulldozed into oblivion.

The New York Times

It was finite and all smiles — far different from the Vietnam War, the racial tensions and the much-discussed generation gap of the same era.

The New York Times - Arts

It was finite, and it kept things simple: When I'm out, I'm out.

TechCrunch

Rather, it was that 'stepping over', or being out ahead of oneself, suggested that Being, as Heidegger understood it, was finite or somehow flawed.

SEP

When Einstein in 1917 proposed the first relativistic model of the universe, he unwittingly pictured a universe which had qualitative features in common with Aristotle's: it was finite in space, but infinite in time.

SEP

In modelling the magnetic data, the exchange postulated in (Gd-5), i.e. zero, was also indistinguishable from models where it was finite, taking into account the effects of zero field splitting (ZFS), meaning that this technique could not confirm the presence or otherwise of an interaction.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is finite if there are only finitely many ways that every polygon can subdivide.

Wikipedia

We can seek to show that it is finite by demonstrating the impossibility of its infinitude.

SEP

If a thing is negatively finite, it is finite "though there be no repugnance in its having it [infinitude] from elsewhere" (301 302, brackets added).

SEP

It's finite.

The New York Times

It's in the Earth and it's finite.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "limited" or "bounded" to add variety to your writing, especially if you're using "it was finite" repeatedly within a short span.

Common error

Avoid using "it was finite" when the subject is inherently limitless. For example, saying "imagination was finite" can be misleading, as imagination is generally considered boundless.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was finite" serves as a declarative statement indicating that something had a defined limit or boundary. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used to express a limitation, whether in terms of resources, time, or physical space.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was finite" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that denotes limitation or boundedness. Ludwig AI shows that while not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, including news, scientific discussions, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase serves to declare that something has a defined limit, and as Ludwig examples show, can be replaced by similar terms like "limited" or "bounded" to add variety to your writing. It is important to ensure that its usage aligns with the inherent properties of the subject being discussed, avoiding its application to inherently limitless concepts. When looking to employ this expression or understand its place in English, you can be confident in its appropriateness and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had a limit

Replaces 'finite' with 'limit', focusing on the boundary aspect.

it was bounded

Uses 'bounded' as a synonym for 'finite', emphasizing confinement.

it was restricted

Emphasizes the constrained nature of something.

it was limited

Focuses on the restricted quantity or extent.

it was not infinite

States the opposite of infinite, implying finiteness.

its extent was defined

Highlights that the scope or range was clearly established.

it was exhaustible

Suggests that it could be completely used up.

it was terminable

Indicates that it could be brought to an end.

it came to an end

Focuses on the conclusion or cessation of something.

its days were numbered

Expresses that its existence was nearing its conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was finite" to describe something that has a limit or boundary. For example, "The amount of time we had to complete the project was finite."

What's a good alternative to "it was finite"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include /s/it+was+limited, /s/it+was+bounded, or /s/it+was+restricted. Each emphasizes a different aspect of limitation.

Is it correct to say "time is finite"?

Yes, saying "time is finite" is generally correct in the sense that our individual experience and lifespan are limited, but in physics, time is often treated as a dimension that may or may not be finite depending on cosmological models.

How does "it was finite" differ from "it was infinite"?

"It was finite" means something had a limit or end, while "it was infinite" means it had no limit or end. These are direct opposites.