be done -ing

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MALAY GIRL

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My colleague always say "I am done/finished doing my part or tasks."
But I am a bit doubtful of its correctness.
'I am done/finished with the newspapers or scissors.' is right, but how about "done/finished" + -ing verb?
Thanks ever so much.
 

bhaisahab

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My colleague always say "I am done/finished doing my part or tasks."
But I am a bit doubtful of its correctness.
'I am done/finished with the newspapers or scissors.' is right, but how about "done/finished" + -ing verb?
Thanks ever so much.
"I have finished doing..." is correct. "I am finished and I am done + -ing" are incorrect.
 

Raymott

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My colleague always say "I am done/finished doing my part or tasks."
But I am a bit doubtful of its correctness.
'I am done/finished with the newspapers or scissors.' is right, but how about "done/finished" + -ing verb?
Thanks ever so much.
"I am done" sounds American. "I'm finished" is more widespread.
"I'm done dealing with people like that" sounds colloquial AmE to me.
 

emsr2d2

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"I am done" sounds American. "I'm finished" is more widespread.
"I'm done dealing with people like that" sounds colloquial AmE to me.

I agree that it was probably originally more AmE though I hear it more and more in BrE. However, I would say (like the example given above) that it has a more negative connotation than simply "finished". For example, if you have been having the same conversation with someone over and over, without a satisfactory outcome, you might say "You know what, I'm done talking about this". It can also be used when finishing a relationship - "We're done!"
 
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