The confusion arises because finished operates both as anadjective and as the past
tense and past participle of the verb to finish.
So if your colleagues say 'We're finished for today', they are using it as an adjective.
If they say 'We've finished work for today', they are using it as the past participle of the
verb to finish. (This would be more normal in standard English).
-ed as an adjective
When we use it as an adjective, we can talk about thingsbeing finished as well
as people being finished with something:
• Their marriage is finished. It was a disaster from the beginning, so it's good it's
over.
• She's not ready to leave. She won't be finished for at least another hour and a
half.
• Sheila wasn't finished with Paul yet. They still had a lot to talk about.
There are, of course, a wide range of adjectives ending in -edwhich follow the verb to
be and other linking verbs such asseem, appear, look and become. Here are a few of
the most common:
• I became interested in the tennis as soon as I heard that ticket prices would be
reduced.
• I was bored with the performance and decided to leave as soon as the interval
arrived.
• She seemed surprised - even amazed - to see me. She thought I was in the
States.
• They were quite satisfied with the arrangement. Sharing the cost suited them
both.
• Ned was frightened of Lucie. He was also worried that they might be late back.
Note that all of these adjectives ending in -ed describe people'sfeelings, mental
states or emotional reactions to something. There are many more. Check those you
don't know in adictionary to see how they are used and which prepositions they can be
used with:
amused, appalled, confused, delighted, disappointed, excited, pleased, puzzled, shocked,
tired, concerned, convinced, determined, prepared, thrilled

• I'm going to call the police if she's not back within the hour.
• If you make the salads, I'll prepare the barbecue.
In all of these examples, we are talking about future conditions and whether we
use when or if depends upon the certainty of things happening.
However, when and if are interchangeable when we are talking about general
conditions that always apply when if means almost the same as whenever. Compare the
following:
• I keep the air-conditioning on at night if the temperature goes above 30 degrees.
• I keep the air-conditioning on at night whenever / when the temperature goes
above 30 degrees.
• If the green flag is flying, it's quite safe to swim here
You can swim here whenever / when / provided the green flag is flying.
In case
We use in case to talk about taking precautions, doing something because something
else might happen:
• During the drought, keep the bath filled with water - just in case it is needed.
• I've bought some candles in case there are more electricity cuts.
• In case I forget, remind me to check the tyre pressure before we load up the car.
In case or if?
When we use in case we are mostly describing future possible situations. When we
use if we are talking about conditions that apply. Compare the following and note
the differences in meaning.
• I'll fill up the car with petrol in case you need to go to Brighton. ( = I'll fill up
now, because you might need it later.)
• I'll fill up the car with petrol if you need to go to Brighton. ( = Let me know if you
need to go to Brighton and then I'll fill up with petrol.)
• Take the mobile phone with you in case the car breaks down.
If the car breaks down, give me a ring.
in case of
Note that in case of is a prepositional phrase used with a nounwhich is similar in

Best of luck! The first two examples are done for you.
1 make do the cleaning and the cooking
2 make do a lasting impression (on someone)
3 make do the shopping and the washing-up
4 make do some serious work
5 make do a lot of damage (to something)
6 make do an announcement or a speech
7 make do an application (e.g. for a driving test)
8 make do a sound or a noise
9 make do one's hair or one's teeth
10 make do a lot of harm rather than good
11 make do business (with somebody)
12 make do (somebody) a favour
13 make do love, not war
14 make do a mess, a profit or a fortune
15 make do fun of someone or a fool of someone
16 make do amends for one's behaviour
Answers
do the cleaning and the cooking
make a lasting impression (on someone)
do the shopping and the washing-up
do some serious work
do a lot of damage (to something)
make an announcement
make an application (e.g. for a driving test)
make a sound or a noise
do one's hair or one's teeth
do a lot of harm rather than good
do business (with somebody)
do (somebody) a favour