see something through

USAGE SUMMARY

"see something through" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to continue with or finish something, even if it is difficult or challenging. Example: I promised my friend that I would help her plan her wedding and I intend to see it through until the very end. In this example, "see something through" means to fulfill or complete the task of planning the wedding, even if it becomes difficult or time-consuming.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's very rarely in ministerial life that you get the opportunity to see something through from start to finish.

The Guardian

What stood out for us in these companies is the day-to-day determination to see something through despite near-constant failure.

Harvard Business Review

Have the tenacity to see something through and welcome collaborators to help you grow the concept beyond what you can imagine alone.

The Guardian

Baking also allows you to create something from scratch that you can then sell to the public – not many occupations offer that chance to see something through from start to finish – it brings such a sense of achievement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As I watched a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled in Baghdad today, I felt a sense of pride knowing that my country finally has a leadership with the courage to see something through.

The New York Times

(The old finger-as-mustache gag is used to rather irresistible effect for the latter sections). The joke, of course, is that Ms. Hopkins is marvelously good and sympathetic company; artfully plain, her sung and spoken meditations on the agony of creation come as a relief to those who have faced the same difficulties to see something through.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They were seeing something through the frosted glass.

The New York Times - Science

"In my own mind I felt that I had seen something through the eyes of Jack Nitzsche".

The Guardian - Music

You have just shown that when you pause and think, you have the capability of seeing something through from all angles".

The New York Times

It wasn't until Oscar read the opening pages of The World Is Full Of Married Men and insisted she finish it that she saw something through.

The Guardian - Books

In an early incident in Act 1, the Scottish hero James is alone when suddenly he sees something through the window: the casement blows open to reveal the winged Sylph, with the woodlands that are her element behind her.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is effectively used in professional settings to signal accountability and reliability regarding projects or long-term goals.

Common error

Do not confuse "see something through" (to finish a task) with the phrase "see through something", which means to detect a lie or deception. For example, if you say "I saw through the project", it might imply you detected a flaw in it, whereas "I saw the project through" means you completed it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "see something through" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. In this construction, "something" serves as the direct object, which can be placed between the verb and the preposition or following the whole phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this as a standard idiomatic structure used to denote perseverance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "see something through" is a highly effective idiomatic phrasal verb that denotes the successful completion of a task, especially in the face of difficulties. As analyzed by Ludwig, the phrase is a staple of professional and journalistic English, appearing consistently in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is distinct from "see through something", which focuses on detecting deception. Writers should use this phrase when they want to convey a sense of commitment, resilience and finality. Whether used in a business context to discuss project management or in personal narratives to describe endurance, it remains a robust and grammatically correct choice for emphasizing the act of finishing what one started.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow through with

Focuses on the action taken after an initial step or promise.

carry out

More formal and often used for instructions or plans.

bring to fruition

Emphasizes the successful result or completion of a creative process.

see it to the end

Specifically emphasizes reaching the final stage of a process.

stick it out

More informal, highlighting the endurance through difficulty.

execute

Technical or business-oriented term for performing a task.

pursue to completion

Academic or professional phrasing for finishing a project.

go the distance

An idiomatic expression suggesting full effort until the end.

finish up

Suggests completing the final portions of a task.

conclude

Formal term for bringing something to an end.

FAQs

How to use "see something through" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe finishing a difficult commitment. For example: "Even though the project was challenging, the team decided to "see something through" until the final delivery."

What can I say instead of "see something through"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "<a href="/s/follow+through+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">follow through with", "<a href="/s/carry+out" target="_blank" rel="alternative">carry out", or "<a href="/s/complete" target="_blank" rel="alternative">complete".

What is the difference between "see something through" and "finish it"?

While both mean completion, "see something through" implies overcoming obstacles or sticking with a long-term process, whereas "<a href="/s/finish+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">finish it" is more neutral and generic.

Is "see something through to completion" redundant?

It is slightly emphatic but common in formal writing. A more concise version would be "<a href="/s/bring+to+fruition" target="_blank" rel="alternative">bring to fruition" or simply "see something through".