when finished

USAGE SUMMARY

"When finished" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to connect two ideas, indicating that the second idea cannot take place until the first one is complete. For example: "When finished with my chores, I can finally relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Click Save when finished.

The New York Times

Click O.K. when finished.

The New York Times

Click the Done button when finished.

The New York Times

Return barbells to the rack when finished.

Forbes

Clean up when finished.

WikiHow

When finished, click Convert.

WikiHow

Stand up when finished.

WikiHow

Click Click when finished.

WikiHow

When finished, stand.

WikiHow

Click Close when finished.

WikiHow

Hit "Change" when finished.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when finished" to clearly indicate the sequence of actions, ensuring the reader understands that one task must be completed before the next begins.

Common error

Avoid placing a comma before "when finished" if it directly follows the main clause; the comma is generally used when it introduces the sentence or interrupts the main clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when finished" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action in the main clause occurs. It indicates that the action described in the main clause will happen after the completion of another action, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

56%

News & Media

13%

Science

31%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when finished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial clause of time, indicating the sequence of actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is employed across diverse sources, including WikiHow and The New York Times. The phrase serves to clarify the order of events, indicating that one action must be completed before the next begins. While versatile, it is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various forms of communication. Alternatives such as "upon completion" or "once completed" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when done

More informal and concise, implying the same meaning.

once completed

Emphasizes the state of being completed as the condition for the next action.

after completion

Similar to the original, but explicitly states 'after'.

on finishing

More concise, using a gerund to indicate the end of an activity.

upon completion

Formal alternative emphasizing the moment something concludes.

having concluded

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing completion.

following the completion

A more formal and lengthy way to express the sequence of events.

subsequent to finishing

A formal alternative to specify what happens after finishing.

at the end

Indicates a point of termination, less specific about the action.

as soon as it's over

Indicates what happens immediately after the conclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "when finished" to indicate the sequence of actions, clarifying that one task needs to be completed before the next one commences. For example: "When finished reading, please return the book to the library."

What can I say instead of "when finished"?

You can use alternatives like "upon completion", "after completion", or "once completed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "when finished"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "when finished". It introduces a dependent clause that provides a condition for the main clause.

What's the difference between "when finished" and "when done"?

The phrases "when finished" and "when done" are mostly interchangeable, but "when done" is slightly more informal. Both indicate that an action or task has been completed before the next action can occur.