to be done with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be done with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a desire to finish or no longer deal with something or someone. Example: "After months of hard work, I am finally ready to be done with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was to be done with them?

The New York Times - Arts

You have to be done with it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What is to be done with them?

The Guardian - Opinion

A lot has to be done with the production".

The New York Times - Arts

Something needs to be done with the councils.

The Guardian - Opinion

So what is to be done with Samantha Geimer's story?

The Guardian - Opinion

Much more also needs to be done with government procurement.

The Guardian - Tech

What is to be done with information like this?

The New Yorker

Second, they're going to be done with some finesse.

The Guardian - Opinion

And what is to be done with the defective refrigerator?

The New York Times

When he retires, he wants to be done with football.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be done with" to clearly express a desire to complete something and move on. It works well in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to be done with" in highly formal writing. While generally acceptable, alternatives like "to have completed" or "to cease involvement with" may be more appropriate for academic papers or formal business correspondence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be done with" functions as an infinitive phrase typically used as part of a verb phrase. It expresses the completion of an action or a desire to terminate involvement with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be done with" is a versatile expression used to indicate completion, a desire to finish, or a sense of relief at the end of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's best suited for informal to semi-formal settings. More formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "to have completed". With a high frequency of use in news and media, academic, and scientific sources, "to be done with" remains a common and practical phrase in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to finish with

Indicates completion, but can also imply ending a relationship or interaction.

to be finished with

Similar to "to finish with", but emphasizes the state of being completed.

to be through with

Suggests a complete and final separation from something.

to be rid of

Implies a desire to remove something unwanted.

to have completed

A more formal way to express having finished something.

to be over with

Focuses on the ending of an event or situation.

to want no more of

Expresses a strong desire to avoid something further.

to have had enough of

Indicates reaching a limit of tolerance or endurance.

to be quitting

Suggests abandoning an activity or role.

to cease involvement with

A formal way to express ending participation or connection with something.

FAQs

How can I use "to be done with" in a sentence?

You can use "to be done with" to indicate you're finishing something or want to end involvement, for example: "I can't wait "to be done with" this project."

What is a more formal way to say "to be done with"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases such as "to have completed" or "to cease involvement with".

Which is correct: "to be done with" or "to be finished with"?

Both ""to be done with"" and "to be finished with" are correct and have similar meanings; the choice often depends on personal preference.

What's the difference between "to be done with" and "to be rid of"?

"To be done with" generally means finishing a task, while "to be rid of" implies getting rid of something undesirable.