Cool MateAccomplish vs Finish
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplish
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Finish
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Accomplish | Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃt/","/əˈkʌmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪz/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃt/","/əˈkɑːmplɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɪnɪʃ/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/","/ˈfɪnɪʃt/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɪnɪʃ/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/","/ˈfɪnɪʃt/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To successfully complete something. | To complete something. |
| Example | The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. | I need to finish my homework before dinner. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | successfully, easily | almost, nearly, barely, let somebody, by, with, almost, nearly, barely, let somebody, by, with |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect, abandon | start, begin, initiate |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'accomplished' which is an adjective., Using 'accomplish' without an object (e.g., saying 'I accomplish.' instead of 'I accomplish my goals.'). | Confused with 'complete'—'finish' is more informal., Incorrect verb form—using 'finishing' instead of 'finish' in simple present., Omitting the object—saying 'I will finish.' instead of 'I will finish the project.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'accomplish' when referring to achieving goals or tasks, typically in a positive context. It may not be appropriate for casual or less formal situations where simpler words like 'do' might work better. | Use 'finish' in contexts where something needs to be completed. It’s appropriate for both spoken and written English but might sound too casual in formal reports. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accomplish vs Finish
What's the difference between Accomplish and Finish?
Accomplish: To successfully complete something. Finish: To complete something.
Which is more advanced: Accomplish and Finish?
Accomplish is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Accomplish and Finish the same CEFR level?
Accomplish: B2, Finish: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Accomplish and Finish?
Accomplish: verb, Finish: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Accomplish: The first part of the plan has been safely accomplished. Finish: I need to finish my homework before dinner.
Can I use Accomplish and Finish interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplish and Finish are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.