they are finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they are finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to a task someone has done. For example, "The students completed their project and they are finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They feel strangely exhilarated when they are finished.

The New Yorker

Do you have to wait until they are finished?

The New York Times

"With the Gandhis you never know when they are finished".

The Guardian

He says he rarely thinks of his books once they are finished.

The New Yorker

They are finished, ready-to-use products," Mr. Li said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

The military will staff and operate all the facilities once they are finished.

The New York Times

Now they are finished, victims of a long-dormant potion called Oriole Magic.

The New York Times - Sports

When they are finished (in about 2035), these abandoned quarries will become giant bath-tubs.

The Economist

They will continue blowing up, taking hostages, shooting people until they are finished off.

The New York Times

When they are finished, the first person gets to respond and gives the "final word".

The New York Times

"Where are the numbers?" "They are finished," answered an elderly woman in black.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "they have completed" or "they are concluded" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the referent of 'they' is explicitly stated or clearly implied in the context. Without a clear referent, the sentence can become confusing or misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are finished" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of 'they' after a process has been completed. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that this is a grammatically correct usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are finished" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the completion of a task or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a predicate adjective, conveying that something is no longer in progress. While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it maintains a generally neutral register. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as wiki-style content, highlighting its broad applicability. Ensuring clarity in the referent of 'they' is crucial to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have completed

Focuses on the act of completing something, emphasizing the action more than the state.

they are done

A more informal way of saying "they are finished", implying the task is over.

they are over

Indicates that an event or period has ended, rather than a task.

they have concluded

Suggests a formal ending, often used for meetings or investigations.

they are finalized

Emphasizes the final stage of completion, implying no further changes are needed.

they are ready

Focuses on the state of being prepared or available, rather than the act of finishing.

they are prepared

Similar to "they are ready", but can also imply a state of readiness for something else.

they are no more

Suggests that something has ceased to exist or function, often used in a more dramatic sense.

their time is up

Implies that a deadline or allotted time has expired.

they cease to be

A more formal and philosophical way of saying something no longer exists.

FAQs

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

You can use "they are finished" to indicate the completion of a task, project, or process. For example: "The students completed their project and "they are finished"".

What can I say instead of "they are finished"?

You can use alternatives like "they have completed", "they are done", or "they are over" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they are finished" or "they are complete"?

Both "they are finished" and "they are complete" can be correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "They are finished" generally means the task is done, while "they are complete" suggests that all necessary parts are included.

What's the difference between "they are finished" and "they have finished"?

"They are finished" describes the state of being finished, while "they have finished" emphasizes the action of completing something. The latter is more formal.