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

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