to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

"to finish" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it in a variety of situations. For example, "We need to finish our project by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To finish his term?

The New Yorker

"You have to finish".

The New York Times - Sports

We need to finish.

Independent

This terrorism has to finish.

Independent

I wanted to finish it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Time to finish the job.

The Economist

But we wanted to finish".

The New York Times - Sports

I hope to finish it.

The New Yorker

To finish a picture?

The Guardian - Music

It's grief to finish.

The Guardian - Books

To finish a work?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to finish", ensure it clearly indicates the purpose or action you intend to complete. For instance, "We need to analyze the data to finish the report" provides a clear context.

Common error

Don't use "to finish" without a clear subject or object. For example, instead of saying "To finish", specify what needs to be finished: "To finish the project, we need more resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to finish" functions as an infinitive of purpose, often introducing a clause that explains the reason for an action. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage and provides multiple examples of its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

32%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to finish" serves as an infinitive of purpose, commonly used to introduce the reason or goal behind an action. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While generally neutral in register, it is important to use it with a clear subject and object to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "in order to complete" or "so as to conclude", depending on the desired level of formality. The consistent use of "to finish" in authoritative sources highlights its reliability and versatility in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to achieve completion

Focuses on the successful attainment of a finished state.

in order to complete

Replaces "to finish" with a more formal phrasing, emphasizing the intention behind the completion.

to bring to a close

Replaces finish with a more sophisticated and formal verb phrase.

for completion

A more concise way to express the goal of finishing, suitable for headings or summaries.

for the purpose of ending

Emphasizes the purpose or intent behind concluding something.

so as to conclude

Similar to "to finish" but with a stronger emphasis on bringing something to an end.

as a means of finalizing

Highlights the process of making something final or complete.

with the aim of completing

A longer, more explanatory alternative to "to finish", highlighting the purpose of completing something.

with a view to terminating

A more formal alternative, implying a deliberate act of ending something.

by way of finishing

A more descriptive alternative, often used to introduce a concluding action or statement.

FAQs

How can I use "to finish" in a sentence?

You can use "to finish" to express the purpose of completing an action. For example, "I need to study hard "to finish the course" successfully."

What are some alternatives to "to finish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in order to complete", "so as to conclude", or "for completion".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "to finish"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "to finish", especially when expressing purpose. For example, "To finish the task, we need to work together."

What's the difference between "to finish" and "to complete"?

While "to finish" and "to complete" are often interchangeable, "to finish" can sometimes imply a final touch or ending, whereas "to complete" simply means to bring something to a state of being finished.