when will it finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when will it finish" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when inquiring about the completion time of an event or task. Example: "I have a meeting at 3 PM; when will it finish?" Alternative expressions include "when will it be done" and "when will it conclude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So it starts at 12 30... when will it finish?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

The campaign is urging parties to the treaty to reject Britain's application on the grounds that it has not even committed itself to a date to begin clearing mines, let alone when it will finish the task.

The New York Times

[Wall Street Journal] The Board of Elections, meanwhile, does not know when it will finish counting votes from last week's primary.

The New York Times

The entire process takes a couple minutes, during which greenpois0n will simply say "Jailbreaking…" When it' finished, it will tell you "Jailbreak Complete!

WikiHow

According to this definition, the handoff latency of the RO mode should be the same as that of the BT mode because an MN will resume communication when it finishes the binding update to its HA.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

My mum's still alive - she's 95 now - and she'll be delighted when it finishes, because she thinks I'm under pressure.

BBC

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "We will analyse the season when it finishes but I think it is important to understand you must play every game with 100 per cent intensity.

BBC

And what will the TSA do when it finishes analyzing the hard drive of one of the bloggers it threatened?

Huffington Post

When it finishes, I'll have a holiday.

Independent

Let the mod install, when it finishes you'll notice that the installation prompt and status bar have disappeared.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when will it finish" to inquire about the expected completion time of a task or event. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Ensure the context is clear so that "it" refers unambiguously to the task or event in question. If there's any potential for confusion, specify what "it" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when will it finish" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically seeking information about the future completion time of an action or task. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English for inquiring about completion time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when will it finish" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for inquiring about the completion time of a task or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is usable in written English. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be appropriate in professional contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in news and media. To enhance clarity, ensure the reference of "it" is unambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

When will it be completed?

Uses "completed" instead of "finish", implying a more formal tone.

By when will it be done?

Emphasizes the point in time by which something will be "done".

When is it due?

Uses "due" to inquire about the expected completion time.

What's the finishing time?

Replaces "finish" with the noun "finishing time".

What is the completion date?

Rephrases the question to focus on a specific date rather than the act of finishing.

At what time will it conclude?

Uses a more formal verb, "conclude", for "finish".

When should it wrap up?

Employs the phrasal verb "wrap up", suggesting the conclusion of an activity.

What's the deadline?

Simplifies the question to the essential point: the time by which something must be done.

When is the expected end?

Focuses on the "end" as a noun, specifying that it is "expected".

What's the ETA?

Uses the abbreviation for Estimated Time of Arrival, common in project management contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when will it finish" for a more formal setting?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "When will it be completed?" or "What is the expected completion date?" These alternatives offer a more professional tone.

Is "when will it be finished?" the same as "when will it finish"?

While similar, "when will it be "finished"?" implies a passive construction, focusing on the state of being completed. "When will it "finish"?" actively inquires when the task will conclude.

What's a quick way to ask "when will it finish" in a project management context?

In project management, you could ask, "What's the "deadline"?" or "What's the "ETA"?" for a concise way to inquire about the completion time.

Can I use "when will it finish" in an email?

Yes, "when will it "finish"" is perfectly acceptable in emails, whether formal or informal, to inquire about the completion of a task or project. Just ensure the context is clear.