should be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should be finished' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the expectation that a task should be completed. For example: "The project should be finished by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The trials should be finished in 1997.

Science Magazine

It should be finished by July.

The New York Times

They should be finished in 4 months.

The New Yorker

We should be finished just in time".

Independent

Is finished at Chelsea and should be finished with England.

Independent

The work should be finished within five years, he said.

The New York Times

"By July the whole procedure should be finished".

The Guardian - Business

The check should be finished this week, the official said.

The New York Times

South-East Asia's longest tunnel, at 45km, should be finished by the start of 2014.

The Economist

This first phase should be finished by the end of this year.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, work to recover remains should be finished within the next several weeks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should be finished" to clearly communicate an expected or projected completion date or state for a task or project. Be specific with timelines to enhance clarity.

Common error

While "should be finished" is acceptable, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction if appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be finished" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating an expected or projected state of completion. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be finished" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey an expected or projected completion. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is suitable for various communication settings. While direct and useful, writers should remain mindful of overuse. The use of more assertive language can be considered when more certainty is intended. Alternatives include "is expected to conclude", "is anticipated to be complete", and "is due to be done" for variety or more formal tone. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is expected to conclude

Replaces "should be finished" with a more formal tone, emphasizing the expectation of completion.

is anticipated to be complete

Focuses on the anticipation of the project reaching a state of completeness.

ought to be completed

Expresses a moral or logical obligation for something to be finished.

is due to be done

Indicates that something is scheduled to be completed by a certain time.

is on track to be finalized

Implies progress and a high likelihood of being finalized.

is projected to end

Emphasizes a forecasted end date or time for the task.

is slated for completion

Uses more formal language to convey the scheduling of a completion.

is scheduled to wrap up

Uses informal language, suggesting the wrapping up of a task.

is nearing completion

Indicates that something is close to being finished but not quite there yet.

is close to being done

Uses informal language to indicate that something will soon be finished.

FAQs

How can I use "should be finished" in a sentence?

You can use "should be finished" to express an expectation or prediction about the completion of a task. For example, "The report "should be finished" by Friday".

What alternatives can I use instead of "should be finished"?

Alternatives include "is expected to conclude", "is anticipated to be complete", or "is due to be done", depending on the context.

Is "should be finished" grammatically correct?

Yes, "should be finished" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "should" with the passive form "be finished" to indicate an expected future state.

What's the difference between "should be finished" and "will be finished"?

"Should be finished" expresses an expectation or recommendation, while "will be finished" states a definite future completion. "The project "should be finished" by Friday" implies an expectation, whereas "The project will be finished by Friday" asserts a certainty.