after a ます-stem means "finish doing": the action is done to the end. Drop ます and add 終わる, so 読みます becomes
and します becomes
. The compound conjugates like 終わる itself.
。
I finished reading the book.
。
I haven't finished eating yet.
、。
Let's go and play once you finish writing your homework.
The object keeps を even though 終わる on its own takes が: , like .
A て-form or a dictionary form in front of 終わる is wrong.
- × 本を読んで終わった → 本を読み終わった
- × 本を読む終わった → 本を読み終わった
終わる or 終える
attaches the same way and means the same. 読み終わる is the everyday form; 読み終える sounds more formal and is the usual choice in writing.
。
I finally finished writing the report.
。
I finally finished writing the report.
Which verbs take it
The verb has to be an action that runs for a while and can reach an end: reading, eating, writing, cleaning. A verb that happens in an instant or describes a state does not take 終わる.
Lingaku