Learn Hardcore Japanese: watasi ha tosyokan de syukudai wo hayame ni sumasemasu. - I will finish my homework early at the library.

は marks the topic: “As for me…”
私 can be omitted if context makes it clear who is speaking: 図書館で宿題を早めに済ませます。
Using が instead shifts emphasis to the subject (“I, and not someone else”): 私が図書館で宿題を早めに済ませます。
You can also topicalize the object: 宿題は図書館で早めに済ませます。 (“As for the homework…”)

Why is it 図書館で and not 図書館に?

で marks the place where an action happens (location of activity).
に marks destination (with motion verbs) or location of existence (with いる/ある).
Examples:
- 図書館で勉強します。 (study at the library)
- 図書館に行きます。 (go to the library)
- 図書館にいます。 (be at the library)

What’s the nuance of 早めに compared with 早く?

早めに = “on the early side,” “earlier than usual/expected.” It implies choosing a time earlier than the reference point.
早く is the adverb of 早い and can mean “early” (time) or “quickly.” 早く済ませます can be heard as “finish quickly,” which is ambiguous.
早めに removes that ambiguity and focuses on earliness relative to a usual/expected time.

Why does 早め take に?

早め is a degree word formed with -め (“on the X side”), which behaves like a noun. To use it adverbially, add に.
Patterns:
- 早めに寝る (go to bed a bit earlier)
- 大きめに切る (cut on the larger side)
- 多めに入れる (put in a bit more)
- Before nouns you can use の: 早めの昼ごはん.

What exactly does 済ませます mean? How does it relate to 済む/済ませる/済ます?

済ませます is the polite nonpast of 済ませる (transitive Ichidan): “to finish/settle (something).”
Transitive vs intransitive:
- 宿題を済ませる／済ませます = finish the homework (you do it).
- 宿題が済む／済みます = the homework gets finished/is done (state/result).
済ます is another transitive verb (“to finish/settle; get by with”). Its polite form is 済まします (e.g., これで済ましましょう). In everyday speech, 済ませる／済ませます is common when you specify the object.

Could I use 終える or 終わらせる instead of 済ませる? Any nuance difference?

宿題を終える／終わらせる also means “finish the homework.”
Nuances:
- 済ませる: “get it over with; take care of” (pragmatic, chores/errands vibe).
- 終える／終わらせる: neutral “complete/bring to an end” (やや formal for 終える).
- 片付ける: colloquial “get it out of the way,” close to 済ませる.
All work here; pick based on tone.

What does the nonpast ます form convey—present or future?

済ませます can express:
- Habit/routine: “I (usually) finish early at the library.”
- Future plan/intention: “I will finish…”
Past: 済ませました.
To make intention explicit: 図書館で宿題を早めに済ませるつもりです／予定です。

Why can’t I say 早いに? What’s the correct adverb of 早い?

Can I move 早めに around? How flexible is word order?

Adverbs are flexible. These are all natural:
- 私は図書館で宿題を早めに済ませます。
- 私は図書館で早めに宿題を済ませます。
- 私は早めに図書館で宿題を済ませます。
To emphasize the object: 宿題は図書館で早めに済ませます。

Is を required after 宿題? Can I drop particles?

In polite/clear speech, keep を: 宿題を.
In casual conversation, you may hear it dropped when context is clear: 図書館で宿題早めに済ませる. Acceptable in speech, not recommended in formal writing.
A common casual rhythm is pausing after the object: 図書館で宿題、早めに済ませる。

If I want to say “I’ll go to the library and finish my homework early,” how do I express that?

How do I pronounce each part?

How do I make it past, negative, or volitional?

How do I say I’m doing it “in advance” (for future convenience)?

How do I say “can finish (it) early”?

Potential form of 済ませる: 済ませられる (polite: 済ませられます)
- 図書館で宿題を早めに済ませられます。
In casual speech some say 済ませれる; stick to 済ませられる in writing.

Why use 宿題を済ませる instead of 宿題をする?

宿題をする = do homework (doesn’t imply completion).
宿題を済ませる／終える = finish/complete the homework.
Since 早めに implies completion by an earlier time, 済ませる (or 終える) fits better.

Can I say 図書館で早めに宿題を終わります?

Not natural, because 終わる is intransitive. With を, use a transitive verb.
Correct options:
- 図書館で宿題を早めに終えます／終わらせます。 (transitive)
- Or intransitive pattern: 図書館で宿題が早めに終わります。

Is writing 早目 okay?

You’ll see 早目 as a kanji variant, but 早め in kana is more common and recommended for everyday writing.