Finish the line
One word is missing from each famous line. Choose the right one, then read where the line comes from.
How Finish the line works
One word is missing from a famous quote and you choose it from four options. The lines come from novels, speeches, poems and letters, and the wording is exactly what the original source says, not the shortened version that circulates on posters.
That difference is the interesting part. Many famous lines are trimmed or reworded as they are repeated. The line about nothing to fear but fear itself continues with a clause most people never hear, and some of the best known opening sentences of novels are longer than the half people remember. When you get a word wrong, the answer shows the full original line, who wrote it and the work it is from.
The game is a quick way to learn a few real quotations well enough to use them. If a line catches your eye, open its page for the context, a timeline of how the words were used and a short line you can say aloud in a toast or speech.
Quick answers
Is the wording exact?
Yes. We use the wording from the original source. If a famous version differs, the quote page explains how and when it changed.
Why do some answers look similar?
The wrong choices are other words of a similar length taken from different quotes, so you need to know the line to pick the right one.
Can I use these quotes in a speech?
Yes. Each quote page has a section on how to use it in a toast, speech or essay, plus how to cite it correctly.
How often are new lines added?
New quote pages are published through the week and become questions automatically.
More to explore
All games → · Famous misquotes → · Browse the people → · How we verify quotes →