were finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"were finished" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a past tense verb phrase that is used to indicate that something has been completed or ended. It can be used in various contexts, including storytelling, description, or in everyday conversation. Example: The students were relieved when their exams were finished.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The stadiums were finished and full.

The Guardian - Sport

By midafternoon, they were finished.

The New York Times

The treble team were finished.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought we were finished," he said.

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

The élites were finished — "they're out of touch," he said.

The New Yorker

When the presentations were finished, Lipkin was pleased.

The New Yorker

In any case, he said, the Taliban were finished.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

"A lot of us thought they were finished".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were finished" to indicate that something has reached its final stage or completion. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was finished" when referring to multiple subjects. "Were finished" is the correct form for plural subjects, while "was finished" is for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were finished" functions as a past passive construction, indicating that a subject (plural) has undergone an action and is now in a completed state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were finished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past passive construction that signifies completion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase across various writing contexts. While versatile, remember to use "were" with plural subjects and "was" with singular ones. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "had concluded" or "were completed". Its widespread presence in news, scientific publications, and general writing makes it an essential phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were completed

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the act of finishing something rather than its state.

were done

A more informal way of saying something is finished.

were finalized

Suggests that all details and arrangements have been settled.

had concluded

This alternative uses a more formal tone to indicate the end of something.

were terminated

Implies a more formal or official ending.

reached completion

Highlights the act of completing something, focusing on achieving a final state.

were brought to a conclusion

A longer, more emphatic way of saying something was finished.

came to an end

This phrase describes the termination of an event or process in a descriptive manner.

drew to a close

A more literary way of saying something ended.

wrapped up

An informal expression indicating the completion of a task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "were finished" in a sentence?

The phrase "were finished" indicates completion. For instance, "The projects "were finished" on time" means the projects are now complete.

What is a more formal alternative to "were finished"?

A more formal alternative could be "had concluded" or "were completed", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "were finished" and "were completed"?

While similar, "were completed" often emphasizes the action of finishing, while "were finished" focuses on the state of being done. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

Can "were finished" be used in all types of writing?

"Were finished" is versatile and appropriate for most writing contexts. However, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "had concluded".