What is the difference between done and finished?

Question

in school, i said i was "done", the teacher said "then you must be a turkey, unless you meant you were finished"

Answer 1

My dad always said to me-"Potatoes are DONE people are FINISHED"

it got under my skin then, but i rarely say done anymore.

I think finished sounds more polished, but they mean about the same thing!

Answer 2

In order for something to be finished it must have a point of completion. When we envision something and formulate it exactly as planned it is finished. It is a totality. When something is done or when we are done does not mean that an object or an act is completed exactly as envisioned. It could possibly mean that we can no further do any more. If you bake a cake and your oven breaks you are done. This does not mean that the cake is completely finished, but you can no longer bake because your oven is broken. This is the same as when we quit. We are done, but not necessarily finished. Finished is "universal" and done is "subjective." You may want to read Immanuel Kant or David Hume. I think you are really cute so, I am finished writing but I am not done with you. If you understand me write me back.

Answer 3

It is in the context. Finish is usually meant as an absolute. eg: If you are remodeling a house which involves several jobs like painting, cleaning, wallpapering etc. For each part, you say you are done with that part. I am done painting or I am done cleaning. Finished usually means you are done with every project. I finished remodeling the house. If you say you are done with remodeling the house, it implies you gave up remodeling.

That is English for you.

Answer 4

you can be done with something without having finished it.

Answer 5

i never heard a teacher say that b4...and if i did, id smack her....and whats to say u cant say the turkey is finished cooking...??? huh, tell me!

oh, theres no difference....at least not in my book...(i prefer done, b/c its easier to say)

Answer 6

a steak is done
a task is finished

Answer 7

Cakes get 'done', people get 'finidhed.'

Answer 8

Show her this and tell her to get off your back... they can each be used to imply the completion of a task.

Main Entry: 1do
Pronunciation: 'dü
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): did /'did, d&d/; done /'d&n/; do·ing /'dü-i[ng]/; does /'d&z/
Etymology: Middle English don, from Old English dOn; akin to Old High German tuon to do, Latin -dere to put, facere to make, do, Greek tithenai to place, set
transitive verb
1 : to bring to pass : CARRY OUT
2 : PUT -- used chiefly in do to death
3 a : PERFORM, EXECUTE b : COMMIT
4 a : BRING ABOUT, EFFECT b : to give freely : PAY
5 : to bring to an end : FINISH -- used in the past participle
6 : to put forth : EXERT
7 a : to wear out especially by physical exertion : EXHAUST b : to attack physically : BEAT; also : KILL
8 : to bring into existence : PRODUCE
9 -- used as a substitute verb especially to avoid repetition
10 a : to play the role or character of b : MIMIC; also : to behave like c : to perform in or serve as producer of
11 : to treat unfairly; especially : CHEAT
12 : to treat or deal with in any way typically with the sense of preparation or with that of care or attention: a (1) : to put in order : CLEAN (2) : WASH b : to prepare for use or consumption; especially : COOK c : SET, ARRANGE d : to apply cosmetics to e : DECORATE, FURNISH
13 : to be engaged in the study or practice of ; especially : to work at as a vocation
14 a : to pass over (as distance) : TRAVERSE b : to travel at a speed of
15 : TOUR
16 a : to spend (time) in prison b : to serve out (a period of imprisonment)
17 : to serve the needs of : SUIT, SUFFICE
18 : to approve especially by custom, opinion, or propriety
19 : to treat with respect to physical comforts
20 : USE 3
21 : to have sexual intercourse with
22 : to partake of
intransitive verb
1 : ACT, BEHAVE
2 a : GET ALONG, FARE b : to carry on business or affairs : MANAGE
3 : to take place : HAPPEN
4 : to come to or make an end : FINISH -- used in the past participle
5 : to be active or busy
6 : to be adequate or sufficient : SERVE
7 : to be fitting : conform to custom or propriety
8 -- used as a substitute verb to avoid repetition -- used especially in British English following a modal auxiliary or perfective have
9 -- used in the imperative after an imperative to add emphasis
verbal auxiliary
1 a -- used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in legal and parliamentary language and in poetry b -- used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in declarative sentences with inverted word order , in interrogative sentences , and in negative sentences
2 -- used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses expressing emphasis
- do·able /'dü-&-b&l/ adjective
- do a number on : to defeat or confound thoroughly especially by indirect or deceptive means
- do away with
1 : to put an end to : ABOLISH
2 : to put to death : KILL
- do by : to deal with : TREAT
- do for chiefly British
1 : to attend to the wants and needs of : take care of
2 : to bring about the death or ruin of
- do it : to have sexual intercourse
- do justice
1 a : to act justly b : to treat fairly or adequately c : to show due appreciation for
2 : to acquit in a way worthy of one's abilities
- do proud : to give cause for pride or gratification
- do the trick : to produce a desired result
- do with : to make good use of : benefit by
- to do : necessary to be done