Cool MateDone vs Finished
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Done
Top 1,000 (very common)
Finished
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Done | Finished | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dʌn//🇺🇸 //dʌn// | 🇬🇧 //ˈfɪnɪʃt//🇺🇸 //ˈfɪnɪʃt// |
| Meaning | finished or completed | Something that has been completed. |
| Example | The project is finally {done}. | I have finally finished my homework. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | get done, all done, done deal, done for, not done | finished product, finished work, finished line, finished task, finished state |
| Antonyms | undone, incomplete, unfinished | unfinished, incomplete |
| Common mistakes | Using 'done' as a verb instead of 'do'., Confusing 'done' with past participles of irregular verbs., Overusing 'done' in formal contexts. | Confusing 'finished' with 'finishing' or 'finish'., Using 'finished' with a noun when an alternative verb is needed., Incorrectly using 'finished' in the future tense. |
| Usage notes | Use 'done' to describe completion in everyday situations. It may sound informal in very formal writing. | Use 'finished' to describe something that is complete. Avoid using it in formal writing where 'completed' might be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: Done vs Finished
What's the difference between Done and Finished?
Done: finished or completed Finished: Something that has been completed.
Can you show an example of each?
Done: The project is finally {done}. Finished: I have finally finished my homework.
Can I use Done and Finished interchangeably?
Not always. Done and Finished 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.