Cool MateFinish vs You've run out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Finish
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
You've run out
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Finish
| Finish | You've run out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɪnɪʃ/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/","/ˈfɪnɪʃt/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɪnɪʃ/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪz/","/ˈfɪnɪʃt/","/ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juːv rʌn aʊt//🇺🇸 //juv rʌn aʊt// |
| Meaning | To complete something. | You have no more of something. |
| Example | I need to finish my homework before dinner. | You've run out of milk, so we can't make pancakes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | almost, nearly, barely, let somebody, by, with, almost, nearly, barely, let somebody, by, with | run out of energy, run out of money, run out of ideas, run out of patience, run out of time |
| Antonyms | start, begin, initiate | - |
| Common mistakes | 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.' | Using 'runned' instead of 'run' as the past form., Confusing 'run out' with 'ran out' when referring to the present., Saying 'run out of' followed by a non-count noun incorrectly. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use in informal conversations when discussing supplies or resources. Can sound abrupt if used with someone you don’t know well. |
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Frequently asked questions: Finish vs You've run out
What's the difference between Finish and You've run out?
Finish: To complete something. You've run out: You have no more of something.
Which is more common: Finish and You've run out?
Finish is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Finish: I need to finish my homework before dinner. You've run out: You've run out of milk, so we can't make pancakes.
Can I use Finish and You've run out interchangeably?
Not always. Finish and You've run out 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.