have finished or are finished?

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Anonymous

#439787 Wed, 07 Nov 07 10:29 AM

Hi, I think I posted this few days ago, but didn't get any answer, maybe it didn't go through.

If I’m done doing a job, should I say:

I have finished? or: I am finished?

What if I want to ask someone….Should I say :

Are you finished? Or: Have you finished?

When do I use be/have before finish?

Thank yuo so much, bye.

Anonymous

Marius Hancu

#439827 Wed, 07 Nov 07 01:57 PM

Post:180999

Should have done a search (top right corner) with
am finished

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

CalifJim

#439983 Wed, 07 Nov 07 08:24 PM

You can use either formula.

1.
-- Are you finished?
-- Yes. I'm finished.

2.
-- Have you finished?
-- Yes. I've finished.

The second is in a higher register than the first.

(If you are not familiar with the idea of register, see Post:352350.)

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,556)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Goodman

#439990 Wed, 07 Nov 07 09:05 PM

Anonymous wrote:

Hi, I think I posted this few days ago, but didn't get any answer, maybe it didn't go through.

If I’m done doing a job, should I say:

I have finished? or: I am finished?

What if I want to ask someone….Should I say :

Are you finished? Or: Have you finished?

When do I use be/have before finish?

Thank yuo so much, bye.

This is how I would approach the questions. I am not sure if others will agree.

If my manager asked me to do a research few days ago and today he came to me to find out, he may ask “ have you finished ” the research yet? I would say ”have you” is the preferred choice because of the research duration.

One the other hand, for the same scenario, if he asked me for something an hour ago, I would expect him to ask “are you finished yet” ? And I will reply “yes, I am just about finished”.

Goodman

Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005

Calif. USA

Senior Member (3,243)

The name says it all!