What is the difference between 'finished' and 'completed', as both words gives the same meaning?
Ex 1: He finished his homework.
Ex 2: He completed his homework.
And also how or where to use these words?
Dictionary Reference:
Completed: Finish making or doing.
Finished: Brought to an end; completed.
As for me both sentences have the same meaning. So is there any real difference between them?
Best Answer
In many contexts, the meanings are pretty much the same, but you might hear finished more often than completed in casual conversation. For example:
I could use completed in those sentences – the meaning wouldn't change, but the register might sound off.
The word completed can convey some sense of accomplishment. In the context of a race, it might work when the race is a major achievement:
Homework, though, is not really a major achievement, so I think you'd hear finished more often in casual conversation:
That said, you might see completed in more formal contexts, such as a paper on education, or a course syllabus: