the end of

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the final part of a period of time, an event, or a thing

   Grammar: Followed by a noun: the end of the film, the end of June. You can also say 'at the end of' for a point in time.

   Patterns

   • the end of something
   • at the end of something
   • by the end of something
   • toward the end of something

   We'll get paid at the end of the month.

   I cried at the end of the movie.

   By the end of the day, I was exhausted.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   the point at which something stops existing or is completely finished

   Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns like 'the end of the world' or 'the end of an era'.

   Patterns

   • the end of something
   • mark the end of something
   • signal the end of something

   The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War.

   Many people feared it was the end of the world.

   That decision signaled the end of his career.

Common combinations

at the end of the day

At the end of the day, we all want the same thing.

by the end of

Please finish the report by the end of the week.

the end of the road

This is the end of the road for our old car.

the end of an era

The factory closing is the end of an era for the town.

Synonyms and how they differ

conclusion

More formal; often used for the final part of a speech, book, or process.

close

Used for the final part of an event or period; slightly more formal than 'end'.

finish

Focuses on the point when something is complete, especially a race or task.

Opposites

Word family

ending noun

The last part of a story, film, or word.

end noun

The final part or point of something.

end verb

To finish or stop.

Commonly confused: the end of or ending?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “the end of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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