they were finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were finished" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a task or activity has been completed. Example: After hours of hard work, the team was finally finished with the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

By midafternoon, they were finished.

The New York Times

Ms. Rowley nodded until they were finished.

The New York Times

A half hour later, they were finished.

The New York Times - Travel

When they were finished, he walked into the control room.

The New Yorker

What would happen to the car once they were finished?

The New York Times

What would they do when they were finished?

The New Yorker

When they were finished, ownership was restricted to whites only.

The New York Times

When they were finished, Polina was transferred onto a gurney.

The New Yorker

This time, they were finished, but in all different tints.

The New York Times

Scott wasn't looking at the clothes — they were finished.

The New Yorker

They were finished and honed, then individually numbered and packed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were finished" when you want to clearly state that a group has completed a task or activity. It's a straightforward and easily understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "they were being finished" unless you specifically want to emphasize the process of being completed rather than the state of completion. "They were finished" is generally more concise and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were finished" functions as a statement of completion. It indicates that a group (they) has reached the end of an activity, task, or process. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were finished" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the completion of a task or activity by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across different contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for both formal and informal situations using related phrases like "they had completed it" or "they were done with it". Remember to avoid using continuous tenses incorrectly, opting for the simple past to maintain clarity and directness. Overall, "they were finished" is a versatile and reliable phrase for indicating completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had completed it

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, emphasizing the actors who completed the task.

they had concluded it

Uses "concluded" to suggest a formal or deliberate ending to the activity.

they were done with it

Employs a more informal tone, suitable for casual conversation.

they had wrapped it up

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating a neat and efficient completion.

they brought it to a close

Replaces "finished" with a more descriptive verb phrase, highlighting the act of ending something.

they finalized everything

Suggests a focus on making things definitive or official.

they executed it fully

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the action.

they put the lid on it

Uses another idiomatic expression, indicating the end of a process or project.

they ceased the activity

Employs a formal tone, indicating the stop of an activity.

they terminated the task

This alternative implies a more decisive end, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "They were finished" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they had completed it" or "they had concluded it". These options add a level of sophistication suitable for professional contexts.

What is a more casual way to say "they were finished"?

In informal settings, you could say "they were done with it" or "they had wrapped it up". These options are more relaxed and conversational.

Is there a difference in meaning between "they were finished" and "they are finished"?

Yes, "they were finished" indicates that the action was completed in the past, while "they are finished" implies that the action is complete in the present. The choice depends on the context and the timing of the completion.

When is it appropriate to use "they were finished" versus another similar phrase?

Use "they were finished" when you want a direct and neutral statement of completion. For situations needing more emphasis on the actor, use "they had completed it". For more emphatic closure, consider "they put the lid on it".