to be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be finished" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has a definitive ending or conclusion. Example: My presentation is nearly finished; only a few more slides remain to be finished.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is to be finished in late 2016.

The New York Times

My husband was relieved to be finished.

The New York Times

But first, it had to be finished.

The New York Times - Arts

It is to be finished in 2006.

The New York Times

Both are to be finished in 2007.

The New York Times

It is to be finished in 2003.

The New York Times

The inventory needed to be finished.

The New York Times - Arts

And we expect them to be finished.

The New York Times

It's going to be finished tomorrow".

The New York Times

The work is expected to be finished later this fall.

University of California, Berkeley

We're expecting it to be finished by the morning.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be finished" when you want to clearly indicate that a task, project, or process is expected to reach a state of completion. It provides a straightforward and unambiguous statement about future finalization.

Common error

While "to be finished" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in contexts that demand a more sophisticated or nuanced vocabulary. Alternatives like "to be completed" or "to be finalized" may sometimes be more appropriate in formal documents or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be finished" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase to indicate the future completion of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be finished" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is expected to reach completion. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely accepted in written English and can be used in various contexts, though it's crucial to consider the level of formality required. While alternatives like "to be completed" may be more suitable for formal writing, "to be finished" remains a reliable and clear choice for most situations. Its high frequency in reputable sources like the The New York Times, BBC, and Los Angeles Times further validates its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be completed

Replaces "finished" with a synonym that emphasizes the act of making something whole or entire.

to be finalized

Suggests that the last steps are being taken to complete something.

to be concluded

Implies a formal ending or resolution, suitable for projects or discussions.

to reach completion

Focuses on the process of achieving a finished state.

to be brought to a close

A more elaborate way of saying something is ending, emphasizing the act of closing.

to be done

A more informal way of saying something is completed.

to be ready

Indicates that something will soon be in a state of preparedness or completion.

to be terminated

Implies a definitive end, often used in more formal or technical contexts.

to be in the past

Implies that something will not only be finished, but will belong to history.

to be no more

Suggests that something ceases to exist upon completion.

FAQs

How can I use "to be finished" in a sentence?

You can use "to be finished" to describe when something will reach its end or be completed, such as: "The project is expected "to be finished" by Friday" or "The report needs "to be finished" before the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "to be finished"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "to be completed", "to be finalized", or "to be done". Each option conveys a similar meaning but with slight differences in formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "to be finished" or "to be completed"?

Both phrases are correct, but "to be completed" often sounds more formal and professional than "to be finished". The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "to be finished" and "to be ending"?

"To be finished" implies a definitive end or completion of a task or project, whereas "to be ending" simply means something is approaching its end without necessarily implying that all tasks are done. For instance, "The movie is to be ending" suggests the film is almost over, while "The project is "to be finished"" suggests all tasks associated with the project will be completed.