they have finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people has completed a task or activity. Example: "After hours of hard work, they have finished the project ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have finished the last class meeting of the term.

The New Yorker

But only after they have finished their homework.

The New York Times

They have finished in the position they deserve.

The Guardian - Sport

Many bad ones think they have finished before they have.

The Guardian

Shouldn't they have finished this documentary by now?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"They have finished with the life of a child".

The New York Times

So far they have finished one yard, a large vacant lot on Henry Street.

The New York Times - Science

Ukrainian migrant workers will be sent home now they have finished helping to  rebuild Sochi.

Independent

These women tend to marry after they have finished college and started their careers.

The New York Times

Summer-fruiting raspberries need to be pruned as soon as they have finished cropping.

Independent

Many young scientists leave Europe for America once they have finished their training.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have finished" to clearly and concisely indicate the completion of a task or activity by a group of people. Ensure the subject is plural to match the pronoun "they".

Common error

Avoid using "they have finished" when referring to a single entity or individual; in such cases, use "he/she/it has finished" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have finished" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an action by a plural subject. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they have finished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the completion of an action by a group. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate across various registers, from formal reporting to casual conversation. Its primary function is to convey the conclusion of an activity, project, or task. While the phrase enjoys broad applicability, mindful selection of contextually relevant alternatives, such as "they have completed", can enhance precision. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples showcasing the versatility of "they have finished" in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are done

A more informal way of saying that something is completed.

they have completed

A more formal and direct synonym indicating the fulfillment of a task.

they are through

Indicates the end of an activity or task, often used in a casual context.

they are all done

Emphasizes that all aspects of the task or activity are complete.

they concluded

A more formal term suggesting the end of a process or event.

they wrapped up

Implies the tidying or finalization of a project or task.

they finalized

Focuses on the final stage of making something complete and official.

they reached the end

Describes the arrival at the termination point of an activity.

they are over

A simpler way to state the end of something.

they are finished up

Indicates completing all remaining details, often more casual in tone.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "they have finished"?

A more formal alternative to "they have finished" is "they have completed", which is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

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

You can use "they have finished" to indicate that a group has completed a task, for example, "After a week of intensive work, they have finished the report".

Is it correct to say "they are finished" instead of "they have finished"?

Yes, "they are finished" is a correct and more informal alternative to "they have finished", implying the same meaning of completion.

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

"They have finished" indicates completion in the present perfect tense, whereas "they had finished" is in the past perfect tense and refers to completion before a specific point in the past.