What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ended
Example
The concert ended at midnight. [ended: past tense]
Example
The meeting has ended, and everyone is leaving. [ended: verb]
finished
Example
I have finished my homework for the day. [finished: past participle]
Example
The chef finished preparing the meal just in time. [finished: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Finished is more commonly used than ended in everyday language. Finished is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ended is less common and refers to a specific type of conclusion.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ended and finished?
Both ended and finished are relatively formal words, but finished is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
