Understanding the Correct Usage of 'Is Finished' vs. 'Are Finished'

When it comes to the English language, one of the most common grammatical challenges is determining the correct use of active and passive voice. This confusion often arises in the context of completing tasks, as seen in sentences such as “We are finished” versus “We have finished”. This article aims to clarify these differences and discuss other related usages, such as the present perfect ("has been done") and simple present ("is done").

Passive vs. Active Voice

The correct sentence depends largely on the tense and the actions being described. Present Simple Tense is used to describe habitual or regular actions, while Present Perfect Tense is used for actions that began in the past and continue to the present. Here are the examples:

Present Simple Tense ("is done")

For habitual or regular actions, such as: “All house cleaning is done by my mom.” This sentence indicates that the cleaning happens regularly and is an ongoing action in the present.

Present Perfect Tense ("has been done")

When the action began in the past but continues to the present, such as: “She has been doing her research.” Here, the research is something she started in the past and is still ongoing.

Verb Agreement: Singular vs. Plural Subjects

The use of "is" or "are" also depends on the subject of the sentence. In terms of singular or plural actions, this rule can be summarized as follows:

Singular Subject

If you are dealing with a singular action, use "is" to indicate completion, as in: “The work is done”.

Plural Subject

If the subject is plural, use "are" to indicate completion, as in: “The tasks are done.”

Examples of Correct Usage

Let’s look at a few examples that illustrate the correct usage in different scenarios:

Present Simple Tense ("is done")

“It is done in the geography department.” This is an ongoing regularity and a habitual action.

Present Perfect Tense ("has been done")

“It has been done a certain way in the art classroom for years.” This action started in the past and is concluded.

Irregular Tense Usage ("had finished" vs. "has finished")

When discussing past perfect and present perfect tenses, it is important to remember that:

“Had finished” refers to actions completed before a certain point in the past, such as: “He had finished his homework before dinner.” “Has finished” refers to an action completed at some unspecified time in the past, such as: “She has finished her degree.”

Conclusion

The correct sentence depends on the context and the tense being used. If you are talking about a regular, ongoing action in the present or a specific past action that continues to the present, use "is done." For actions that are completed in the past but not directly tied to the present, use "has been done." The correct usage also depends on whether the subject is singular or plural, using "is" or "are" respectively.

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