working to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working to finish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the effort or process of completing a task or project. Example: "I am currently working to finish the report before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

We were working to finish our proof.

The New Yorker

Crews are working to finish new subway lines and roads.

The New York Times

Shields is now working to finish that third LP, comprising nine songs, for release in 2012.

The Guardian - Music

Its engineers are working to finish the rocket engine that will power the small spaceship, Mr. Whitesides said.

The New York Times

They have been working to finish the ground floor, where they have a sitting room and a large kitchen.

The New York Times

He moved months later to New York, where he has lived quietly ever since, working to finish the film and feeding on the city's intensity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In a private meeting with Mr. Obama this year, Mr. Reid pledged to work to finish the measure by the end of December.

The New York Times

As the Energy Research Council works to finish its energy report for President Susan Hockfield, industry leaders are becoming more involved with MIT and the research side of the Energy Initiative.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As Mousa works to finish up her Ph.D., she and her collaborators are refining the technique further.

Science Magazine

In the last year, their combined teams have worked to finish Yantis' final projects and launch new ones that combine his ideas with Courtney's.

Johns Hopkins University

The remaining development team worked to finish Tron: Evolution, whose team was also affected by the lay offs.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working to finish", ensure the context clearly indicates what task or project is being completed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "working to finish" in very simple sentences where a more direct verb like "finishing" would suffice. For example, instead of "I am working to finish my homework", consider "I am finishing my homework".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working to finish" functions as a gerund phrase, where "working" acts as a verb form functioning as a noun. It describes the act of being engaged in completing something. Ludwig shows the phrase is often used to indicate ongoing effort towards a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working to finish" is a common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of making progress toward completing a task or project. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, academia, and general communication. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid overuse in simple contexts. Consider alternative phrases like "striving to complete" or "endeavoring to finalize" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

striving to complete

Emphasizes effort and dedication towards completion.

endeavoring to finalize

Highlights the attempt to bring something to its final form.

making progress toward completion

Focuses on the advancement being made.

in the process of completing

Indicates that the action is ongoing.

aiming to conclude

Highlights the goal of bringing something to an end.

focused on finalizing

Emphasizes the concentration on the concluding stages.

dedicated to finishing

Shows commitment to completing the task.

committed to completion

Highlights the dedication to reaching the end.

advancing towards the end

Focuses on forward movement to the final stage.

drawing near to completion

Suggests that the end is approaching.

FAQs

How can I use "working to finish" in a sentence?

You can use "working to finish" to describe an ongoing effort to complete something. For example, "The team is working to finish the project by the end of the week".

What are some alternatives to "working to finish"?

Alternatives include "striving to complete", "endeavoring to finalize", or "in the process of completing" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "working to finish" formal or informal?

"Working to finish" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider alternatives like "endeavoring to finalize".

What's the difference between "working to finish" and "working on finishing"?

"Working to finish" emphasizes the intention and effort towards completion, while "working on finishing" emphasizes the process of completing. The difference is subtle, but "working to finish" often implies a more direct focus on achieving the final result.