[Vocabulary] I'm done?!

[mihallure]

Is it ok to use the expression "I'm done" meaning to finish doing smth like in:


Are you done washing your hands?

Thank you in advance!

 

[emsr2d2]

Is it [strike]ok[/strike] OK to use the expression "I'm done" meaning "to finish doing [strike]smth[/strike] something", [strike]like[/strike] as in:


Are you done washing your hands?

Thank you in advance!

It's more prevalent in AmE than in BrE and I wouldn't use it in a formal situation or in any kind of exam, but colloquially it's fine.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

I've heard it but with word with: "Are you done with washing hands" (It sounds odd probably) "Are you done with your homework" (that's better).
What do you think, ems?

 

[mihallure]

Thank you for your answer and for correcting my mistakes as well. I really appreciate it!

 

[emsr2d2]

I've heard it but with the word "with": "Are you done with washing hands?" (It sounds odd probably) "Are you done with your homework?" (that's better).

"Are you done with your homework?" is fine.
"Are you done with washing your hands?" is OK but the "with" is unnecessary.

I would expect to hear either "with" or the verb+ing.

Are you done doing your homework?
Are you done with your homework?

In BrE, I would use "Have you finished your homework [yet]?" and "Have you finished washing your hands yet?" (or "Have you washed your hands yet?" which has a slightly different meaning.)

Bear in mind that "to be done with something/someone" can mean "I have had enough of it/you and will have nothing to do with it/you from now on".

My boyfriend had three affairs last year. I'm done with him. I'm going to find myself a decent bloke.
My boss just yelled at me again so I shouted "I'm done with you and I'm done with this stupid job". Then I cleared my desk and went to find a better job.

 

[Raymott]

In AusE, 'finished' is still preferred, but the American 'done' is gaining some usage.

 

[Barb_D]

There is a very strange linguistic anomaly in the Philadelphia area. They omit the "with." I'm done my homework. I'm done the dishes.

I find it weird and am horrified that my children have picked it up despite my pointing it out numerous times.

 

[MikeNewYork]

There is a very strange linguistic anomaly in the Philadelphia area. They omit the "with." I'm done my homework. I'm done the dishes.

I find it weird and am horrified that my children have picked it up despite my pointing it out numerous times.

That is similar to the (evidently Ohio-based regionalism) "the car needs washed", "the room needs cleaned", the dishes need washed".

 

[SoothingDave]

That is similar to the (evidently Ohio-based regionalism) "the car needs washed", "the room needs cleaned", the dishes need washed".

That's western PA, too.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

That is similar to the (evidently Ohio-based regionalism) "the car needs washed", "the room needs cleaned", the dishes need washed".

Oh, I thought it's natural.

 

[SoothingDave]

It's completely natural. If you grew up in western PA.

It's not formally correct, and I would not use it in writing. But it is a "regional variation" of sorts.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

"The car needs to be cleaned" is better?

 

[SoothingDave]

The car needs to be cleaned is better?

Yes, or "needs cleaning."

Those are "standard" English.