Yale Grammatical Diversity Project English in North America
Done my homework.
(Yerastov 2010b:117)
The done my homework construction involves a form of the word be , followed by the participle finished or done (or, for some speakers, started ), followed by a noun phrase. (1) and (2) show two examples of this construction:
1) I’m done my homework. 2) I’m finished my homework.
Note that the noun phrase does not have to be my homework . In fact, it can be almost any noun phrase, as shown by the following examples taken from Hinnell (2012:4):
3) a. Martin is done his bass tracks and we are ready to start vocals. b. By the time I am done dinner , I don’t want my side snack. c. So many bloggers I read are doing this. One is already done her 50,000 words ! d. This will be particularly important once you’re done the tattoo and need to leave the shop.
Who says this? Syntactic properties Recent survey results References
.jpg "i finally finished my homework")
Who says this?
The done my homework construction is a widespread characteristic of Canadian English, and it is also found in the United States among speakers in the Philadelphia area, southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the northern part of New England (Yerastov 2008, 2010a, 2010b, 2012, 2016; Hinnell 2012; Fruehwald and Myler 2013, 2015; Zanuttini et al. 2016). It has not been found in the dialects of the United Kingdom or elsewhere outside of North America.
See our interactive maps below to explore some of the raw data in more detail.
Syntactic Properties
The syntax of this construction has recently been studied in some detail by Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015). The following description is based on their work.
Degree modification by all
The done my homework construction may seem to resemble a sentence like I have done my homework . (A sentence that, like this one, contains have plus a participle is said to be in the perfect aspect ). However, the phrase done my homework is actually more similar to adjective phrases such as ready for school because, like an adjective phrase, these phrases can be modified by the degree word all . (4a) shows a typical example of all modifying an adjective phrase (namely, ready for school ), and (4b) shows an analogous example of the done my homework construction with modification by all :
4) a. I’m all ready for school. b. I’m all done my homework.
By contrast, done my homework may not be modified by all when it is used in a sentence with the perfect aspect. Thus, (5) is not acceptable:
5) *I have all done my homework.
This is evidence that the done my homework construction is not an instance of a verb phrase in the perfect aspect but rather is more like an adjective phrase.
Co-occurrence with perfect aspect
The done my homework construction also differs from verb phrases in the perfect aspect in that done my homework can actually co-occur with the perfect aspect, as in (6):
6) I have been done my homework for a while now.
By contrast, although done my homework can co-occur with the perfect aspect as shown in (6), the perfect aspect cannot co-occur with a second instance of the perfect aspect in the same sentence. Thus, (7) would not be acceptable:
7) *I have had done my homework for a while now.
Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015) show several other ways in which the done my homework construction is distinct from the perfect aspect.
No leaving the object behind
At first glance, it may be tempting to think that the done my homework construction involves simply not pronouncing the word with in a sentence like (8):
8) I'm done with my homework.
Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015), however, present several differences between the two constructions. One such difference is the ability (shown in (9c)) to move the word done to the beginning of the sentence, similar to the movement of proud and angry in (9a) and (9b):
9) a. Proud though John is of his daughter , it won't matter. b. Angry though John is with his daughter , it won't matter. c. Done though John is with his computer , it won't matter.
This kind of movement is not possible with the done my homework construction. For example, although the entire phrase done his homework may be moved as in (10b), (10a) would be judged unacceptable because only done has moved, leaving the object his homework behind:
10) a. * Done though John may be his homework , it won't matter. b. * Done his homework though John may be, it won't matter.
In this respect, it is similar to phrases like worth the money because (11a), like (10a), is unacceptable, whereas (11b), like (10b), is acceptable:
11) a. * Worth though this may be the money , it won't matter. b. * Worth the money though this may be, it won't matter.
Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015) also argue that the meaning of the construction is not what we would expect if it involved an unpronounced with .
Allowed verbs
There is variation across dialects in terms of which verbs speakers allow in this construction. According to Yerastov (e.g. 2010a, 2010b), there is a hierarchy along the lines of finished > done > started . In other words, if speakers accept started (as in I'm started my homework ), they will accept all three verbs. If speakers accept done , they will also accept finished , but not necessarily started . Finally, some speakers accept only finished . This kind of hierarchy resembles the one found in the needs washed construction with need > want > like (see here for further discussion of the needs washed construction).
Recent Survey Results
The following map shows results from a recent nationwide survey. It represents speakers' judgments of the sentence I'm done my homework . There is some description of the map on the left, as well as a legend in the upper righthand side.
This next map shows recent results of a survey regarding various iterations of the PAST-PARTICIPLE + YOUR HOMEWORK construction:
Page contributed by Jim Wood on February 28, 2014.
Updates/revisions: August 9, 2015 (Tom McCoy); June 1, 2018 (Katie Martin); July 8, 2020 (Oliver Shoulson)
Please cite this page as: Wood, Jim. 2014. Done my homework. Yale Grammatical Diversity Project: English in North America . (Available online at http://ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/done-my-homework . Accessed on YYYY-MM-DD). Updated by Tom McCoy (2015), Katie Martin (2018), and Oliver Shoulson (2020).
Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple
Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).
- I (just / finish) my homework.
- Mary (already / write) five letters.
- Tom (move) to this town in 1994.
- My friend (be) in Canada two years ago.
- I (not / be) to Canada so far.
- But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times.
- Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema.
- I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) a new film yet.
- (they / spend) their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
- (you / ever / see) a whale?
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Present Perfect
For recently finished actions.
Table of Contents
In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.
A: How long have you worked there? B: I have worked there for 3 years.
A: How long have you been friends? B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022
The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.
It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.
For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:
- Present perfect form
- Present perfect pronunciation
Usage/ Meaning
How and when do we use the Present Perfect?
Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.
I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .
I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .
Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.
I haven’t done my homework yet : This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later . It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.
- Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have just finished .
- Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have already finished .
- Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet .
Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below . Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….
- What have you already done today?
- What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
- What have you just finished before answering these questions?
- Have you just had some food?
- Have you already finished your homework?
- Have you already studied today?
- Have you just had a phone call?
- Have you already had lunch today?
- Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
- Which goals in your life have you already achieved?
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do / finish / finish doing [homework]
- Thread starter Utah777
- Start date Jul 8, 2018
Senior Member
- Jul 8, 2018
Hi, all I have a question about the difference between three sentences below: 1. I have to do my homework by tomorrow. 2. I have to finish my homework by tomorrow. 3. I have to finish doing my homework tomorrow. I found it peculiar to say the third sentence because two verbs with the same meaning overlaps in one sentence. (It appears in one mock examination.) I would like to know the difference and if it is ok to say the third. Thanks in advance.
Your instincts are right. The third one is not good. It’s anyway often appropriate to say “stop doing” something, but rarely “finish doing”.
Utah777 said: Hi, all I have a question about the difference between three sentences below: 1. I have to do my homework by tomorrow. 2. I have to finish my homework by tomorrow. 3. I have to finish doing my homework tomorrow. I found it peculiar to say the third sentence because two verbs with the same meaning overla p in one sentence. (It appears in one mock examination.) I would like to know the difference and if it is ok to say the third. Thanks in advance. Click to expand...
- Jul 9, 2018
Forero said: All three sentences sound fine to me, but they have different meanings. What two verbs do you think have one meaning? Click to expand...
Utah777 said: Thanks for your reply. Finish and do. According to my dictionary, both verbs imply that something is done. So it sounds strange to me. What do you think? Click to expand...
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Using "Finished" As A Verb. Finally, some people make the mistake of using "finished" as a verb. For example, saying "I'm going to finish my homework" is correct, but saying "I'm going to finished my homework" is incorrect. Tips To Avoid These Mistakes.
I have just finished my homework (BrE, AmE). I just finished my homework (AmE). There's no difference in meaning. The British use the present perfect for recent actions, especially with just, already, and yet. Americans can use either the present perfect or simple past with these words.
or. Mom, I'm done with my homework! In the first case, "doing my homework" is the task. In the second case, "homework" is the task. It depends on whether you regard 'homework' as a concrete noun - a collection of papers to be worked with in some way - or as an abstract noun - an assignment to be accomplished. Share. Improve this answer.
Finally is an adverb that refers to the last or final action or event in a series or sequence. It denotes the end of a process, an event, or a situation that has been ongoing or delayed for some time. For example, a student who has been studying for hours may say, "Finally, I have finished my homework."
No, I've got my homework to do. That's a pity: I've finished my homework, and I want to do something. doesn't necessarily mean that I have just now finished my homework: I might have, but it might be that I finished it this morning. The present relevance is that now I am in a state of having-finished-my-homework, whereas you are not in that state.
I finished my homework. This sentence uses past simple. Your homework was completed in the past. I am finished with my homework. In this sentence, finished is an adjective. Just like the word "done", it means that you are not requiring any work at it. I have finished my homework. This is present perfect tense. Your work is completed.
I haven't finished my homework yet. Recently. We often use the present perfect with recently to talk about past recent actions. They 've recently bought a new car. Today, this week, this month, this year. We can use the present perfect with time expressions when the time we mention has not finished. I 've seen John today. (=Today has not ...
The done my homework construction involves a form of the word be, followed by the participle finished or done (or, for some speakers, started), followed by a noun phrase.(1) and (2) show two examples of this construction: 1) I'm done my homework. 2) I'm finished my homework. Note that the noun phrase does not have to be my homework.In fact, it can be almost any noun phrase, as shown by the ...
Exercise 8. Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple). I (just / finish) my homework. Mary (already / write) five letters. Tom (move) to this town in 1994. My friend (be) in Canada two years ago. I (not / be) to Canada so far. But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times. Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema.
Just. Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished. I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework. It is an unspecified time in the past. We don't know when the person did it, but it wasn't so long ago. It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no ...
Also, in proper English usage, I have finished is preferred over I am finished. So, in that sense only the following (from your list) are correct: I have "To Kill a Mockingbird" on my list. I will write you about it when I have finished reading it. I have "To Kill a Mockingbird" on my list. I will write you about it when I finish reading it.
Perfect tenses worksheet. The perfect tenses are used to talk about actions that are completed at the time of speaking. The three forms of the perfect tenses are: The present perfect tense, the past perfect tense and the future perfect tense. I have finished my homework. (Present perfect tense) I had finished my homework before the guests arrived.
These short sentences perhaps disguise the fact that there are two questions here.. At Motivated Grammar is an article claiming that 'done' and 'finished' are interchangeable here. There are also comments that 'I'm done' for a person as subject (agent) is more acceptable in general in American English, and others that it is not acceptable at all or in formal speech.
High quality example sentences with "i finished my homework" in context from reliable sources - Ludwig is the linguistic search engine that helps you to write better in English
20. Depending on context they could have the same or slightly different meanings. I have finished. would be said after completing a task either very recently or some time in the recent past. I am finished. would be said after very recently completing a task. It can also have the meaning of hopelessness as a person faces impending doom.
Both are possible, depending on the context. Present perfect simple: I have finished my homework. -> you started doing your homework this morning and right now you have finished it. Past simple: Yesterday I finished my homework. -> it's completely over, in the past. You are referring to something that is not of importance to the present. 1. Reply.
The sentence "I finish my homework" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to report that you have finished an assigned task, such as in the following example: "I just finished my homework. Now I can relax!". exact ( 2 ) After I finish my homework, I remember the letters I saw on the wall. 1.
Synonym for I finished my homework. "I finished my homework" = Simple past tense. The event is over and done with. It is all in the past. "I finished my homework last night, so I can sleep late this morning." (the two event are separated. Last night and this morning) "I have finished my homework" = Present perfect tense. The event started in the past and still has a connection to the present ...
You would say "I have finally finished my homework" or "My homework is finally done" How do you say this in English (US)? Terminé la tarea que comecé ayer. answer I finished the homework that I started yesterday Similar questions.
Translate I finally finished my homework. See Spanish-English translations with audio pronunciations, examples, and word-by-word explanations.
2. While I agree that: Having finished her homework, she went for a walk. is more clear, I think context and common sense would tell us that the original sentence means the same thing: Finishing her homework, she went for a walk. Many writing guides tell us to avoid dangling modifiers, and sentences with this same structure are used as examples ...
I have been finishing. ( Present perfect continuous) I had been finishing. ( Past perfect continuous) Note that in the continuous, there would be something after the relevant form of "finish". Both the simple past and the present perfect are used to describe an event which happened in the past and which is now over.
1. I have to do my homework by tomorrow. 2. I have to finish my homework by tomorrow. 3. I have to finish doing my homework tomorrow. I found it peculiar to say the third sentence because two verbs with the same meaning overla p in one sentence. (It appears in one mock examination.) I would like to know the difference and if it is ok to say the ...
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