What is finished? Pronunciation and usage in English

finished means . Learn how to pronounce and use finished through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of finished

finishedadjective

/ˈfɪnɪʃt/
Definition & pronunciation of finished

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "finished" in English. It's a tricky one because it's a common source of mispronunciation! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "fin-": This part sounds like "fin" as in "fin whale." It's a short, crisp "f" sound followed by a "in" sound.
  • "-ished": This is where people often stumble. It’s not pronounced like “fish-ed.”

2. The Correct Pronunciation:

The most accurate pronunciation is: ** /ˈfɪn.ɪʃt/ **

Let’s break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈfɪn: Say "fin" – like the fish. The stress (emphasis) is on this first syllable. It's a short, quick sound.
  • ɪʃ: This is where it gets tricky. This is a diphthong (a blended vowel sound) that sounds like "ish" as in "dish." It's a very short, quick "i" sound followed by a short "sh" sound. Don't say "ished" here.
  • t: Finally, a simple "t" sound at the end.

3. Putting it together – Listen to examples!

4. Common Mistakes and Why They're Wrong:

  • "fish-ished": This is the most common mistake. It’s completely incorrect.
  • "fin-ished": While closer, it still doesn't capture the blended vowel sound correctly.

Tips for Practice:

  • Record yourself: Say "finished" and listen back. This helps you hear where you might be going wrong.
  • Slow it down: When practicing, say it slowly at first, focusing on each syllable. Then gradually increase your speed.
  • Focus on the "ish" sound: This is the key to getting it right. Practice just that sound ("ish") on its own.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using the word "finished"?
  • Focus on practicing the “ish” sound more?

Usage and examples with the word finished in English

Let's break down how to use the word "finished" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and grammatical roles. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Completion):

  • Meaning: Indicates something is complete, done, or has reached an end.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm finished with my homework." (The homework is done)
    • "She wore a finished look – perfect makeup and a stylish outfit." (The appearance is polished and complete)
    • "The finished product was beautiful." (Referring to the completed item)
    • "He’s a finished musician." (Meaning he’s reached a high level of skill and is considered accomplished)

2. As a Past Participle (Used with Auxiliary Verbs):

  • Crucially important! This is how "finished" is often used in sentences.
  • Forms the perfect tenses: Combined with "have" or "be" to create perfect tenses (past perfect, present perfect, future perfect).
  • Examples:
    • "Have you finished your meal?" (Present Perfect – meaning did you complete it?)
    • "I had finished reading the book before the movie started." (Past Perfect – indicating completion before another action)
    • "They will have finished the project by Friday." (Future Perfect – predicting completion by a certain time)

3. As a Verb (Meaning to Bring to an End):

  • Meaning: To complete something; to bring something to an end. Often used with a specific activity.
  • Examples:
    • "I finished my coffee." (I drank it all)
    • "Please finish your work." (Complete it)
    • "The game finished 2-1." (The game ended with a score of 2 to 1)
    • "She finished crying." (She stopped crying)
    • "Don't finish what you started!" (Don't abandon it after beginning it.)

4. Phrases with "Finished":

  • "Finished with": This is a very common idiom. It means to be done with something or someone, often implying a desire to move on.

    • "I'm finished with that relationship." (I don’t want anything more to do with it.)
    • "He’s finished with his career." (He’s retired or no longer working in that field.)

  • "Finished up": Similar to "finished with," but often suggests completing a series of tasks.

    • “I finished up my emails before leaving the office.”

  • "To be finished": This is a passive construction – meaning to be completed (usually by someone else).

    • “The report is to be finished by tomorrow.”

5. Informal Usage:

  • "Finished" (as an exclamation): Sometimes used informally to express completion or satisfaction.
    • "I'm finished! Let’s go!"

Tips for Using "Finished" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "finished" changes depending on how it's used.
  • Pay attention to the tense: Is it describing a completed action in the past, present, or future?
  • Recognize "finished with": This is a common idiom that needs to be learned as a whole phrase.

Could you give me a little more context about how you want to use "finished"? For example:

  • Are you trying to use it in a specific sentence?
  • Do you want to know more about a particular tense (like the past perfect)?

Synonyms for the word finished

Practice with vocabulary finished

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team finally ________ the complex project on time, much to the client's relief.
  2. The final report for the quarterly review is ________ by Friday, so make sure all data is accurate.
  3. Have you ________ reviewing the revised budget proposal yet?
  4. Her dedication allowed her to ________ a significant amount of work in a short timeframe.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After several long meetings, the committee finally reached a decision and the discussion was _____. a) finished b) initiated c) paused d) concluded

  2. The product development phase is nearly _____; we anticipate a launch next quarter. a) finished b) launched c) recalled d) developing

  3. Please let me know when you are _____ with the documentation, so I can review it. a) finished b) starting c) struggling d) submitting

  4. The approval for the new marketing campaign is still _____, awaiting senior management's final sign-off. a) pending b) approved c) rejected d) ongoing

  5. Before we can proceed with the next phase, the initial background checks need to be _____. a) terminated b) initiated c) suspended d) re-evaluated

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. They brought the long negotiation to an end. (Rewrite using "finished")
  2. The construction crew completed the building ahead of schedule. (Rewrite using "finished")
  3. The presentation came to a close after an hour. (Rewrite without using "finished")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The team finally finished the complex project on time, much to the client's relief.
  2. The final report for the quarterly review is due by Friday, so make sure all data is accurate.
  3. Have you finished reviewing the revised budget proposal yet?
  4. Her dedication allowed her to accomplish a significant amount of work in a short timeframe.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) finished, d) concluded
  2. a) finished
  3. a) finished
  4. a) pending
  5. b) initiated

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. They finished the long negotiation. / The long negotiation was finally finished.
  2. The construction crew finished the building ahead of schedule.
  3. The presentation concluded after an hour.

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