would be finished

USAGE SUMMARY

'would be finished' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a process or task that is about to be completed. For example: "The project would be finished by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would be finished immediately".

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, surely, they would be finished.

Columbia University

The boxes would be finished by autumn.

The Guardian - Books

He said: "I never thought my career would be finished.

Independent

If this leaked out, the Government would be finished.

The Guardian

He was told construction would be finished in spring 2007.

The New York Times

If that ended, the Batwa would be finished forever".

The Guardian - Travel

"Tourism would be finished, the environment would be finished!" says Abduljameel Muhammed, the head of Socotra Eco Tours, a local travel agency.

The Economist

Mr. Moniz would not say whether the project would be finished.

The New York Times

"If that house were a man," she joked to Dunham, "you would be finished".

The New Yorker

Ms. Streicker Porres said the facade, hidden behind plywood paneling, would be finished.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be finished" to express a conditional future, especially when discussing plans, expectations, or hypothetical situations.

Common error

Avoid using "would be finished" interchangeably with "will be finished". "Would be finished" implies a condition or hypothesis, while "will be finished" states a future fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be finished" functions as a verb phrase indicating a conditional or hypothetical future state of completion. It describes an action that will be completed under certain conditions. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be finished" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express conditional or hypothetical future completion. As Ludwig confirms, it accurately depicts events that are planned, expected, or contingent upon specific circumstances. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish its usage from "will be finished" to accurately convey the intended meaning. Found predominantly in news and media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be completed

Emphasizes the future completion of an action or task. It's a more direct statement about future completion.

will be done

A simpler and more general way to express future completion. It can apply to various contexts.

should be finalized

Suggests an expected or anticipated finalization, often implying a formal process or approval.

is expected to conclude

Highlights the anticipated end or resolution of a process or event. More formal and predictive.

is projected to end

Focuses on a predicted or estimated endpoint. Often used in planning or forecasting contexts.

will reach completion

Stresses the achievement of a completed state. More emphatic about reaching the end.

is anticipated to wrap up

Suggests a closing or concluding phase. More informal and conversational.

is set to conclude

Indicates a scheduled or planned conclusion. It implies a predetermined timeline.

is slated to end

Similar to "is set to conclude" but emphasizes a specific time or date for the ending.

should draw to a close

Suggests a gradual ending or resolution. Often used in narrative or descriptive contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "would be finished" in a sentence?

You can use "would be finished" to describe a hypothetical future outcome, such as "If we work hard, the project "would be finished" by Friday".

What's the difference between "would be finished" and "will be finished"?

"Would be finished" suggests a conditional or hypothetical outcome, while "will be finished" expresses a future certainty. For example, "It "will be finished" tomorrow" implies certainty, whereas, "It "would be finished" if we had more resources" implies a condition.

Are there any formal alternatives to "would be finished"?

Yes, you could use more formal options like "will be completed" or "is expected to conclude" in professional or academic settings.

Is it correct to say "would have been finished" instead of "would be finished"?

The phrase "would have been finished" refers to something that "would have been finished" in the past under different circumstances, while "would be finished" refers to a hypothetical future completion. The correct choice depends on the intended time frame.