when it's finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it's finished" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
Example 1: "I will give you the report when it's finished." Example 2: "The kitchen renovation will be complete when it's finished." Example 3: "I can't wait to read the book when it's finished." Example 4: "We can start the project when it's finished raining outside." Example 5: "The painting will be displayed in the gallery when it's finished drying."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let the cycle run its course and then take out the shoes when it's finished.

WikiHow

"It'll be finished when it's finished".

The New York Times

"We usually do that when it's finished".

The New York Times

I'll remove the feed when it's finished.

The Guardian

Yet the clanking suit, when it's finished, is a letdown.

The New Yorker

When it's finished, I come and look at the video".

The New York Times

But it's great when it's finished and you've won.

Independent

"When it's finished, it will be changed beyond recognition.

The Guardian

"When it's finished," he replied with serene impracticality.

The Guardian - Books

"The product will be beautiful when it's finished".

The New York Times

When it's finished, Stalder says, the Alps will disappear: "That is the result.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when it's finished" to clearly indicate a point in time contingent on the completion of a task or process. This helps to sequence actions and maintain clarity in instructions or descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "when it's finished" in highly formal documents where more precise or sophisticated language may be preferred. Alternatives like "upon completion" or "subsequent to finalization" can elevate the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it's finished" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action will occur. It introduces a condition based on the completion of an event, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

34%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when it's finished" is a versatile and very common phrase used to denote a time contingent upon the completion of an activity. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While suitable for most general contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "upon completion" in professional or academic writing. Ludwig's examples show it commonly appears in news, media, and wiki-based content, highlighting its everyday applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as soon as it's done

Informal and implies immediacy, useful when the focus is on the promptness of the next action.

when it concludes

Suitable for events, meetings, or structured activities, highlighting the formal ending.

once it is completed

This version adds a formal tone, suitable for official or technical contexts where precision is key.

after its completion

Emphasizes the time frame following the completion of something, useful when the subsequent events are important.

once finalized

Emphasizes the aspect of final approval or official ending.

upon completion

This alternative focuses on the action of completing something, making it suitable when emphasizing the act itself rather than the state.

on finishing

Similar to 'upon completion' but can imply a slightly quicker transition to the next action.

subsequent to completion

Formal and emphasizes the sequence of events after something is finished, useful in technical or legal contexts.

upon its culmination

This is more suitable when the completion represents a high point or climax.

at the end of

Suitable for projects or tasks that have a defined endpoint; less specific about the act of finishing.

FAQs

How can I use "when it's finished" in a sentence?

You can use "when it's finished" to indicate a condition that must be met before a subsequent action can occur. For example, "We'll start the presentation "when it's finished" loading".

What is a formal alternative to "when it's finished"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "upon completion", "subsequent to completion", or "once finalized".

Is it correct to say "when it will be finished" instead of "when it's finished"?

While "when it will be finished" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""when it's finished"" is more concise and commonly used, especially in spoken and informal written English.

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

"when it's done" and "when it's finished" are often interchangeable, but "when it's finished" can imply a more formal or structured process leading to completion.