they are done

USAGE SUMMARY

'they are done' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when someone has completed a task or when something has come to an end. For example: The students finished their exams so I told them, "They are done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here they are done well.

The New York Times - Travel

They are done for that day.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, they are done by Fraport.

The New York Times

"They are done to destroy women".

The New York Times

They are done with caring and they are done with qualification.

The Guardian - Sport

When the pieces turn golden and tender, they are done.

The New York Times - Food

"I never read my books after they are done.

The New Yorker

"They are done with a view to extort and harass".

The Economist

Stack the crêpes on a plate as they are done.

The New York Times - Health

And, when they are done, it's rendering time.

The New Yorker

Now however, McLagan said they are done stalling.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are done" to clearly indicate the completion of a task, process, or event. This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they are done" when referring to ongoing or incomplete actions. The phrase implies finality, so ensure the subject truly is finished before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are done" functions as a declarative statement indicating the completion of an action or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

29%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are done" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate the completion of a task or process. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, wiki, and scientific writing. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, ensure the subject truly has reached its end state before using it. Its neutral tone and clear message make it a valuable tool in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have finished

Emphasizes the completion of an action or task with a perfect tense verb.

they are completed

Focuses on the state of being finished, highlighting that something has been brought to an end.

they are through

Indicates the end of involvement or participation in something.

they are over

Suggests that an event or period has come to a conclusion.

they are finalized

Emphasizes that all the necessary steps have been taken to make something final.

they are ready

Suggests the products or item is ready to be used or consumed.

they are prepared

Suggests the products or item is prepared to be used or consumed.

they concluded

Focuses on finality of action in the past.

they wrapped up

Implies a casual conclusion of a work.

they're all set

Suggests complete readiness and preparation, using a more informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "they are done" in a sentence?

You can use "they are done" to indicate that a task, process, or event has been completed. For example: "The exams are over, "they are done"."

What is a more formal alternative to "they are done"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "they have finished" or "they are completed" to convey the same meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

Is "they're done" the same as "they are done"?

"They're done" is a contraction of "they are done", and they have the same meaning. "They're" is more casual, while "they are" is slightly more formal. Both are grammatically correct.

Which is correct, "they are done" or "they were done"?

"They are done" indicates completion in the present, while "they were done" indicates completion in the past. The correct choice depends on the context. For example: "Now "they are done"." (present) vs. "Yesterday "they were done"."