not finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not finish" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express that something did not reach completion or was not completed. Example: I have not finished my paper yet, I still have one more paragraph to write. In this sentence, "not finished" is used to indicate that the paper is not yet completed. Another example: The runner did not finish the race due to an injury. In this sentence, "not finish" is used to show that the runner was not able to complete the race because of an injury.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She does not finish.

The New Yorker

Cuba did not finish.

The Washington Post

I did not finish.

The New York Times

I may not finish it".

The New Yorker

Started, but did not finish.

The New York Times - Sports

"I did not finish it".

Independent

Liina, alas, did not finish.

The Guardian - Sport

My son did not finish.

The Guardian - Opinion

They just did not finish them.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not finish the thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he did not finish the job.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not finish", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being completed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not finish" without a clear subject or object. For example, instead of saying "He did not finish", specify "He did not finish the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not finish" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the failure or inability to complete an action or task. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, such as "did not finish the race" or "could not finish the game". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not finish" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something was not completed. As Ludwig AI validates, it's widely applicable across various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal narratives. While semantically close alternatives like "fail to complete" or "remain incomplete" exist, "not finish" maintains a neutral tone and high frequency in English discourse. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what action or task was "not finish"ed. The high source quality and consistent usage patterns suggest a strong command of this phrase in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain incomplete

Focuses on the state of being unfinished or lacking final touches.

fail to complete

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the lack of completion.

not carry through

Highlights a failure to execute a plan or intention to its conclusion.

be unable to conclude

Formally states the inability to bring something to a close.

leave undone

This suggests something was intentionally or unintentionally left in an unfinished state.

not see through

Implies a lack of perseverance in finishing something.

fall short of completion

A more descriptive way to express not reaching the end goal.

abandon midway

Emphasizes stopping in the middle of an activity or task.

discontinue prematurely

Highlights the act of stopping something before its natural or intended end.

halt progress

Focuses on the cessation of advancement or development towards a goal.

FAQs

What does "not finish" mean?

The phrase "not finish" means to not complete something, to leave it undone, or to fail to bring it to a conclusion.

How can I use "not finish" in a sentence?

You can use "not finish" to describe a task, project, or activity that was started but not completed. For example: "I could "not finish my meal"."

What are some alternatives to "not finish"?

Some alternatives include "fail to complete", "leave undone", or "remain incomplete" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not finish"?

Yes, "not finish" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something did not reach completion.