once we're done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'once we're done' is correct and can be used in written English.
Generally, it is used to refer to a particular task or activity that has begun but is not yet finished. For example, "Let's finish up this project once we're done so we can relax for the rest of the afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

As Garcia said, "Once we're done with it, the audience can have it".

The New Yorker

We have a checklist, and, once we're done, we are out".

The New Yorker

"Once we're done with those packages, they are destroyed, and we forget the details," he said.

The New York Times

Where are we sending all these joyless garments once we're done with them?

The Guardian

Each of our bodies can transform the lives of nine different people, once we're done with them, and instantaneously too.

Independent

We're not introducing anything to the woodland that isn't already here, but it will look very different once we're done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Once we were done with spending, our servers were done with us.

The New York Times - Food

Once we were done, I discarded the (awful) coat and bag I'd bought years ago, symbolising my shift from 'cross-dresser' to 'trans woman'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Once we were done with Shadow of Colossus there was a moment when I reflected on what we really wanted to communicate and portray in that game," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Once we were done shooting, and before we began filming "The Breakfast Club," John wrote another movie specifically for me, "Pretty in Pink," about a working-class girl navigating the social prejudices of her affluent high school.

The New Yorker

Indeed, in such a graph, if every edge of E2 is used at most once, we are done.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once we're done" to clearly indicate that an action will occur immediately after the completion of a previous task. It provides a temporal relationship between two events, enhancing clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "once we're done" when you mean "if we're done". "Once" implies a certainty of completion, whereas "if" suggests a condition that may or may not be met. Use "if we're done" when the completion is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once we're done" functions as a temporal conjunction introducing a dependent clause that specifies the timing of the main clause. It establishes a temporal relationship, indicating that the action in the main clause will occur after the completion of the action in the dependent clause. Ludwig provides several examples to illustrate its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once we're done" is a common and grammatically correct temporal clause used to indicate that an action will follow the completion of a preceding one. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable news and media sources. While it's generally neutral in tone, it’s important to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "if we're done" to avoid ambiguity. Using this phrase effectively helps establish clear temporal relationships in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after we finish

Emphasizes the completion of an action.

when we are through

Suggests a state of being finished with something.

upon our completion

More formal phrasing indicating the time of finishing.

once we have completed it

More elaborate wording implying that the task is completed.

as soon as we've concluded

Highlights the immediacy of the subsequent action.

after we've seen it through

Emphasizes seeing a task through to the end.

on finishing the task

Formal phrasing denoting the time of completing a task.

following our wrap-up

Implies a finalization or summarization process.

after bringing it to a close

Emphasizes bringing a task or project to a close.

when we've wrapped things up

Casual phrase suggesting the wrapping up an activity.

FAQs

How to use "once we're done" in a sentence?

"Once we're done", we can go home. This indicates that going home will happen after the completion of the first task.

What can I say instead of "once we're done"?

You can use alternatives like "after we finish", "when we are through", or "upon our completion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "once we are done" instead of "once we're done"?

Yes, "once we are done" is also correct. "Once we're done" is simply a contraction of "once we are done" and is more informal.

What's the difference between "once we're done" and "when we're done"?

"Once we're done" emphasizes the completion of a task as a prerequisite for the next action. "When we're done" is more general and simply refers to the time the task is completed, without necessarily implying a direct causal link.