to finish having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to finish having" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express completing an action that has already been done or experienced, but it is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "I want to finish having completed all my tasks before the deadline."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

At weekends, you'll have to wait for groups of elderly soju-swilling locals to finish having a good time before you can grab a seat.

The Guardian - Travel

This is like making patients wait in the parking lot to finish having their heart attacks or strokes, allowing permanent damage, before letting them into the emergency room for treatment.

The New York Times

"And it took longer than our whole project from start to finish". Having been drawn, Icarus-like, to the shining promise of starchitecture, and had its wings thoroughly scorched, the V&A decided to opt for the more modest option of going underground.

The Guardian - Arts

The Ethiopian great failed to finish having experienced apparent stomach problems around the 27km mark.

BBC

Oxford-born Oxford-born Smith to finish having started from ninth on the grid at the Quatar MotoGP, but still remained upbeat after the race.

BBC

We have kept 14 clean sheets, which is outstanding at this level and to finish having beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool in our first season gives us a big boost going forward".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The decision to finish hadn't been in my control.

The Guardian

Watching The Fall from start to finish has been like watching a bouncy castle deflate.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the Hicks matter from start to finish has shown government is accountable when the public demands it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not even four birdies in five holes to finish have cheered him up.

BBC

The Ferguson punishment from start to finish has been a joke.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "to finish having" with a more concise and common alternative like "after having" or "to have finished" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to finish having" in formal writing. It's often perceived as clunky and can be easily replaced with more elegant alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to finish having" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express the completion of an action or experience. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it is not a standard or elegant construction in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to finish having" is grammatically acceptable but stylistically awkward and not frequently used. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. When writing, it is best to replace "to finish having" with more common alternatives like "after having" or "to have finished" for improved clarity and elegance. While examples can be found in news and media, it's advisable to choose a more concise construction in formal or professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have finished

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the completed nature of the action.

to complete having

Replaces "finish" with "complete", emphasizing the act of bringing something to a conclusion.

after having finished

Clearly indicates that something occurs after the completion of another action.

upon finishing

A more concise way of expressing the completion of an action.

to end up having

Shifts the focus to the result of the action, rather than the completion itself.

once having completed

Similar to 'after having finished' but uses 'completed' for a slightly more formal tone.

to conclude having

Replaces "finish" with "conclude", indicating a formal end.

to be done with having

Emphasizes the state of being finished and no longer involved with the action.

to finalize having

Emphasizes making the state of having something permanent.

to get through having

Focuses on overcoming or surviving an experience.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "to finish having"?

You can use alternatives like "after having", "to have finished", or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Is "to finish having" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, the phrase "to finish having" is considered awkward and uncommon. It's better to use more standard phrasing.

When is it appropriate to use "to finish having"?

It's rarely the best choice, but might be used in informal contexts where you want to emphasize completing something you've already begun/experienced, though clearer options usually exist.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "to finish having" for better clarity?

Instead of "to finish having dinner", try "after having dinner" or "to have finished dinner". The key is to streamline the phrasing to sound more natural.