nearly finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly finish" is not correct in standard English; it should be "nearly finished." You can use it when describing something that is close to completion but not quite done.
Example: "I have nearly finished my report and just need to add a few final touches."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The brothers typically give each other space when they speak, but with these stories they nearly finish each other's sentences.

The New York Times - Arts

With the starter, Vinny Testaverde, and the rookie Chad Pennington confined to the sideline with injuries, the show was Lucas's from start to nearly finish.

The New York Times - Sports

"To play, and nearly finish, 40 games is a great achievement at my age," he continued.

BBC

Aldershot Town boss Andy Scott told BBC Surrey: "I thought it was fantastic from start to nearly finish.

BBC

"Themselves they were disappointed to nearly finish off the season last week not showing what they're capable of".

BBC

I was actually rather excited to experience Move - mainly because I have already played with a nearly finish Kinect for XBOX 360; last month.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Only a fragment of Beckett is actually spoken in May B – the opening line from Endgame "Finished, it's finished, nearly finished, it must be nearly finished".

The Guardian

Nearly finished.

Harvard University

Kadima is nearly finished.

The New York Times

Nearly finished at sunset.

Harvard University

Some are nearly finished.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the verb 'finish' is used in its correct form. For example, when describing something in the present, use the past participle 'finished' rather than the base form 'finish'.

Common error

Avoid using the base form "finish" directly after "nearly". Always use "finished" (past participle) or a similar construct like "nearly completed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly finish" functions incorrectly as it uses the base verb form after "nearly". A correct form would use the past participle, functioning as an adjective describing a state of near-completion. As Ludwig AI explains, the term is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly finish" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's more appropriate to use phrases like "almost finished" or "nearly finished" to accurately convey the intended meaning of approaching completion. While examples of "nearly finish" exist, these do not align with established grammatical norms. For clear and effective communication, especially in professional or formal settings, stick to the recommended alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost finished

This is a more grammatically correct and common way to express that something is close to being completed.

nearly completed

This phrase uses a more formal adjective and is often interchangeable with "almost finished".

close to completion

This is a more formal way to describe that something is approaching its final stage.

on the verge of completion

This phrase indicates that the finishing point is imminent.

approaching completion

A more descriptive way to say that something is getting closer to being finished.

nearing completion

Similar to 'approaching completion' but can imply a slightly longer timeframe.

drawing to a close

Implies that the process is naturally concluding soon.

coming to an end

Focuses more on the end result rather than the specific act of finishing.

in the home stretch

An idiomatic expression meaning near the end of a task.

about to conclude

Indicates a formal or official ending is approaching.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "nearly finish" in a sentence?

The phrase "nearly finish" is grammatically incorrect. Use "almost finished" or "nearly finished" instead.

What's a more formal alternative to "nearly finish"?

A more formal alternative is "close to completion" which is more suitable for professional contexts.

What does "nearly finish" mean?

While grammatically incorrect, "nearly finish" is often intended to mean "almost finished" or "nearly completed", indicating something is close to being done.

Is there a difference between "nearly finished" and "almost finished"?

The phrases "nearly finished" and "almost finished" are largely interchangeable and have almost identical meanings.