At first glance, Complete and Finish seem to be just two words with the same meaning. But little do we know that they are quite different in meanings and usages. So how to know when it’s appropriate to use Finishor Complete? In this article, we are going to look into the two words and find the answer to this question. Show
First of all, let’s take a closer look at the meanings of Complete and Finish. Read more: Complete – /kəmˈpliːt/ can be used as a verb as well as an adjective. Let’s dive in to understand its meaning thoroughly and learn how to use it with the definition from Cambridge Dictionary. 1 Complete as a verbMAKE WHOLE (a) to make something whole or perfect How to use: use to depict the action of making something become its best/perfect state. Examples:
(b) to write all the details asked for on a form or other document How to use: describe the action of filling all information needed in a form/written document. Examples:
FINISH to finish doing something How to use: use to depict the action of getting something done Examples:
2 Complete as an adjectiveVERY GREAT very great or to the largest degree possible How to use: use before nouns to depict the greatness/large degree of something Examples:
WHOLE with all the parts How to use: use before nouns to depict something with every supposed part/component Examples:
II FinishOur second word, Finish – /ˈfɪnɪʃ/ has some differences from Complete in terms of parts of speech. It can be used as a verb and a noun at times. 1 Finish as a verbCOMPLETE/END (a) to complete something or come to the end of an activity How to use:
Examples:
(b) to eat, drink, or use something completely so that none remains How to use: use as a transitive verb (+ an object) Examples:
2 Finish as a nounCOMPLETE/END the end of a race, or the last part of something Examples:
III Complete Vs. Finish – How to tell them apart?After going through the definitions of Complete and Finish as well as looking at their usages and examples, it is now time for us to analyze the two words carefully and clearly to understand the differences between them. One difference that is easy to notice is that the two words each can play a role that the other cannot. While Complete can play the role of an adjective, Finish, on the other hand, can present in a sentence as a noun. Otherwise, it is commonly thought that there is little or no differences in the meanings between Complete and Finish but it’s not true. Here are some distinctions between them. 1 Complete = Fulfill & Finish = EndComplete and Finish both share the meaning of getting something done. However, the degree in which that thing gets done is different when using each word. ‘To complete something’means to fulfill it. Basically, you do not just wrap it up and stop doing it. But you actually give your best performance and try hard to get the best (desired) results. In other words, to finish something means to end it. You simply don’t do it anymore. When you say:
For example:
2 Complete – long term project & Finish – short-duration activityFinishis used more to depict actions that last for a relatively short duration – like finishing a meal, a running race or a marathon.
Complete is more likely to be used to talk about events that last for days, months or even years like long-term projects.
3 Complete – All the tasks & Finish – One of many tasksIf you are talking about work: → using Finish means that you have done a certain part of the job or one of the assigned tasks. → using Complete which means that you have completed all the assigned tasks/responsibilities. For example, you have to build a new house. There are many tasks to do: building the foundation, building the walls, building the roof, painting, etc. When you are done building the walls → You finishedbuilding the walls. When you are done building the house → You completedbuilding the house. 4 If there is something more to come – It is not Complete!Let’s take a look at this example: The whole world are waiting for the last season of Game of Thrones. The previous season finished in March. When the next season finishes, Game of Thrones will be complete(d). When “The End” is declared, an act is completed. When there is scope for more to come, it is finished but not yet completed. 5 And finally, Complete and Finish in marriage context!To light things up, let’s see how Samsundar Balgobin – a famous linguist uses Complete and Finish to define marriage in ‘A Marriage Joke’ People say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISH BUT there is! When you marry the right one, you are COMPLETE And when you marry the wrong one, you are FINISHED… And when the “right one” catches you with the “wrong one”, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED. IV PracticeFill in the blank with either Complete/Finish:
Keys:
Hopefully, after reading this article you will no longer confuse between Completeand Finish. If you want to see more articles like this or you have trouble telling words apart, download eJOY Confusing Words ebook now for free! Download eJOY Confusing Words ebook for free |