when will it be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when will it be finished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the completion time of a task, project, or event. Example: "I need to know when will it be finished so I can plan the next steps accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"When will it be finished?" Mr. Saverin asks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The bread will sound hollow when tapped when it is finished baking.

WikiHow

When I make a bag, I begin by picturing how it will look when it's finished.

Vice

In reading the description of the bag-maker's artistic methodology, it's hard to avoid speculating about Ogawa's own process: "When I make a bag, I begin by picturing how it will look when it's finished.

Huffington Post

You will know when it is finished.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will say when it is finished.

WikiHow

"People are always asking me why I charge so much, but you'll see when it's finished that it's worth it," he promised.

The New York Times

Think about where your cage will be placed when it is finished, and how easily you'll be able to get to the guinea pigs, their food, water, and hay, with each idea you come up with.

WikiHow

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

The New York Times

The stadium is wonderful; it will be amazing when it is finished," said Beñat.

The Guardian - Sport

The new airport in Warsaw will be magnificent when it is finished.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when will it be finished", consider the context and audience. For formal settings, a more precise question like "what is the expected completion date?" might be more appropriate. In informal situations "when will it be done?" could be better.

Common error

Avoid using "when will it be finished?" interchangeably with questions about progress. For example, "how far along are you?" focuses on the current status, whereas "when will it be finished?" asks for the expected end time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when will it be finished" functions as an interrogative clause used to inquire about the expected time of completion for a task, project, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

34%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when will it be finished" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to ask about the completion time of something. It's considered neutral in register, making it suitable for many but not all situations. Ludwig AI shows that it's more commonly found in news and media and wiki contexts. While acceptable, remember that more formal or direct alternatives like "what is the completion date?" or "when will it be done?" may be more effective depending on the context and audience. Always consider who you are speaking to and the specific information you need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

When will it be done?

Uses a simpler word "done" instead of "finished".

When is it due?

Replaces "finished" with "due" focusing on the deadline.

What's the finish date?

Directly asks for the date of finishing.

What's the completion date?

Uses a more formal tone and asks for a specific date.

When is the expected completion?

Focuses on the expectation of the project being completed.

When should it be ready?

Replaces "finished" with "ready" indicating availability.

When are you targeting completion?

Focuses on the target date of finishing.

What's the timeline for completion?

Asks about the overall schedule for finishing the project.

When do you anticipate its completion?

Uses more formal language such as "anticipate".

What's the ETA?

Uses an abbreviation for Estimated Time of Arrival, a common business term.

FAQs

How can I ask when something will be completed?

You can use phrases like "When is it due?", "What's the completion date?", or simply "When will it be done?" depending on the context and your relationship with the person you're asking.

Is "when will it be finished" formal or informal?

The phrase "when will it be finished" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, for very formal situations, consider alternatives like "What is the completion date?".

What's a more direct way to ask "when will it be finished"?

A more direct way to ask is "When will it be done?". This is simpler and suitable for most casual conversations.

Can I use "when will it be finished" in business writing?

Yes, "when will it be finished" is acceptable in business writing, especially for internal communications. For client-facing documents, a more precise phrase such as "What's the ETA?" or "What's the timeline for completion?" might be preferable.