What is finish? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "finish" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with many different meanings and uses! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (to complete something):

• General Completion: This is the most common usage. It means to bring something to an end or to fully complete it.
  • “I finished my homework.” (Completed the task)
  • “She finished the race in first place.” (Reached the end of the event)
  • “We finished building the treehouse.” (Completed the construction)
• To end a period of time:
  • “The meeting finished at 5 pm.” (Ended at a specific time)
  • “The movie finished after two hours.” (Lasted a certain duration)
• To stop doing something:
  • “He finished smoking.” (Stopped smoking)
  • “She finished talking.” (Stopped speaking)

2. As a Verb (to give something a final coat/touch):

• Painting/Decorating: This is particularly common in crafts and art.
  • “I need to finish the painting with a clear coat.”
  • “He finished the table with varnish.”
• Other Surface Treatments:
  • “I finished the shoes with polish.”

3. As an Adjective (completed, final):

• Completed: Describes something that is finished.
  • “I have a finished drawing.” (A drawing that’s done)
  • “The finished product looked great.” (The completed item)
• Final: Indicates the last stage or result.
  • “This is the finish line.” (The final point)
  • “It’s the finish of the season.” (The concluding part)

4. As a Noun (the end, the last part):

• The end of a race or competition:
  • “He crossed the finish line.” (The point where a race ends)
  • “The finish of the game was exciting.” (The final moments of the game)
• A border or edge: (Less common, but still used)
  • “The finish of the carpet was frayed.” (The edge of the carpet was worn)

Here are some useful phrases using "finish":

• To finish something off: To complete something, often with a final touch. “Just finish off the salad with some dressing.”
• To be finished: To have completed something. “Are you finished yet?”
• To have finished: Similar to "to be finished," emphasizing that the action is completed. “I have finished writing my report.”
• Finish strong: To perform well at the end of something. “He needs to finish strong in the final quarter.”

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Resources to help you learn more:

• Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/finish/ (Provides examples and explanations)
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finish (Comprehensive definitions)

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of context are you trying to use "finish" in? (e.g., writing, speaking, a particular subject like sports or art?)