the work was finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the work was finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a task or project has been completed in a past context. Example: "After weeks of effort, the work was finished, and we could finally present our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

According to Sabin, the work was finished in 1856.

Yale University

Before the work was finished, the owner declared bankruptcy.

The New York Times

(It may even have been painted after the work was finished).

Independent

When the presses gave out, the work was finished in nearby Lynchburg.

The New York Times - Travel

An extensive program of cleaning and conservation of the work was finished in March.

The New York Times - Arts

To keep the proceedings professional, alcohol was banned from the penthouse until the work was finished.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

All the work is finished!

The New Yorker

Will the work be finished when the pilgrims come?

The New York Times - Magazine

But even today, no one feels that the work is finished.

The New York Times - Arts

When the work is finished he may exhibit and attempt to sell it in an art gallery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So when you hear people claim that the work is finished, you say: Not for me, it's not.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical documentation, specify the date or milestone when "the work was finished" to provide a clear timeline for project completion and subsequent stages.

Common error

Ensure that the tense of the verb aligns with the timeline of events. Using "the work is finished" may imply present or ongoing completion, while "the work had been finished" emphasizes completion before another past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the work was finished" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the completion of a specific task or project. This is supported by the Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase uses a passive construction to emphasize the state of the work rather than the agent performing the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the work was finished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the completion of a task or project. According to Ludwig, its usability is confirmed, and it appears frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the tense is consistent with the timeline of events to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "the job was completed" or "the project was finalized" for slight variations in tone. Be aware that the register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the job was completed

Replaces "work" with "job" and uses "completed" instead of "finished", emphasizing the formal closure of a task.

the project was finalized

Substitutes "work" with "project" and "finished" with "finalized", highlighting the conclusive and polished state of a project.

the assignment was completed

Replaces "work" with "assignment", suitable for academic or professional contexts, and uses "completed" for formal tone.

the task was done

Uses simpler terms like "task" and "done", providing a more informal and direct way to express completion.

the undertaking was concluded

Employs more formal vocabulary such as "undertaking" and "concluded", suitable for describing the end of a significant endeavor.

the process was terminated

Highlights the cessation of a process, often used in technical or procedural contexts.

the operation was executed

Replaces the common "work" with "operation", usually used in a surgery or military operation context

the activity was wound up

Wound up is a phrasal verb used to describe a concluded activity, more informal and descriptive.

the mission was successful

Substitutes "work" with "mission", more frequent with military operation context

the creation was done

Substitutes "work" with "creation" and uses "done", more suitable for works of art.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "the work was finished"?

You can use phrases like "the task was completed", "the project was finalized", or "the job was done" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. These alternatives provide similar meanings while offering slight variations in tone and emphasis.

Is "the work was finished" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the work was finished" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that the action of finishing was performed on the work. The Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

How can I use "the work was finished" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After months of dedication, the work was finished, and the team celebrated its success." This sentence clearly indicates that the work has reached its completion and provides context about the outcome.

What's the difference between "the work was finished" and "the work is finished"?

"The work was finished" indicates that the work has been completed in the past. "The work is finished" implies that the work is currently complete. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a past completion or a present state.