practically finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is almost complete, but not entirely done yet. Example: "After working all night, I can say that the project is practically finished; just a few final touches are needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

After hundreds of interviews scheduled around her Senate work, Mrs. Clinton has practically finished the research for her memoir, and Ms. Vollers has begun writing full time.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg's co-author, Margaret Carlson, said that the book was practically finished, but that with the mayor gearing up to run for a third term, the release of a been-there-done-that retrospective seemed ill-timed.

The New York Times

Frequently, the plant designs arrive at the safety reviewer's table when the design phase has been declared practically finished and when many components have already been ordered.

Nuclear Safety

However, due to the very long half-life of 22.3 years the treatment is practically finished with the formation of 210Pb as the dose rate drops drastically.

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

Although the picture was practically finished, I was about ready to start all over again, as I now felt I knew her as she really was.

BBC

Using an approach that was publicly trounced less than 2 years ago, a public-private collaboration has practically finished sequencing the organism's genome, the largest bagged so far.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Visually speaking, Rebecca and I can practically finish each other sentences," she says.

The New York Times

They came to know each other well after they both attended a media conference in November and quickly discovered, as Ms. Huffington put it, "we were practically finishing each other's sentences".

The New York Times

Father and son are now closer than ever, sharing the same gestures and jokes, even speaking so often in tandem that they practically finish each other's sentences.

Huffington Post

Darden's stock (NYSE DRII) finished practically flat in trading Tuesday.

Los Angeles Times

ISTANBUL Serena Williams opened her second match at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships with a throttling backhand return winner, pounding a Li Na first serve behind the Chinese veteran practically before she had finished her service motion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically finished" to convey a sense of optimism and progress, especially when managing projects or tasks with deadlines.

Common error

Avoid using "practically finished" if significant work remains. Overstating progress can mislead others and create false expectations. Be realistic about the amount of work left.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically finished" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a past participle, indicating the degree to which an action or state is completed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to suggest something is near completion. It modifies the verb "finished", specifying that something is close to being done but not entirely so.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically finished" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is nearing completion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness across varied contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, indicating a neutral register. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "almost done" or "nearly complete", "practically finished" offers a specific nuance that suggests only minor details remain. Remember to use this phrase accurately, avoiding overstatement, and clarify the subject to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually complete

Emphasizes the completion is so near that it's as good as complete.

almost done

A more informal way of saying nearly finished.

nearly complete

Indicates a high degree of completion.

close to completion

Highlights the proximity to being finished.

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of approaching completion.

as good as finished

Suggests the remaining work is negligible.

essentially complete

Implies only minor details remain.

in the home stretch

An idiomatic way of saying nearing the end.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes the imminence of finishing.

all but finished

A slightly more emphatic way of saying nearly finished.

FAQs

How can I use "practically finished" in a sentence?

You can use "practically finished" to describe a task or project that is very close to being completed. For example, "The report is "practically finished"; I just need to proofread it."

What phrases are similar to "practically finished"?

Alternatives to "practically finished" include "almost done", "nearly complete", or "virtually complete". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "practically finished" the same as "completely finished"?

No, "practically finished" implies that only minor tasks remain, while "completely finished" means there is nothing left to do. They are not interchangeable in situations where precision is needed.

When is it inappropriate to use "practically finished"?

Avoid using "practically finished" if there are still significant steps or a considerable amount of work required to reach full completion. It's best to be accurate and avoid misleading others about the progress.