In the end v At the end

Source: Crawford Jolly on Unsplash

In the end usually means finally. It is often used after a sequence of events.

• We thought about going to the Seychelles for our honeymoon. I quite liked the idea of going to Cancun but in the end we decided on Paris.
• They tried to make their relationship work but in the end they split up.

Ah, I get you now.

I agree. You can encourage people to study but in the end, the effort has to come from them.

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) February 9, 2021

Apart from dry January, I haven't made any resolutions this year.
Four years ago, I signed up for my first marathon. I took the training quite seriously and I did fairly well in the end.
Six or seven years ago, I turned vegetarian - one of the wisest decision I have made.

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) January 16, 2020

#WOTD GAMBLE (n, v) - (to take) a risk that might result in loss of money or failure (apostar, una apuesta, un riesgo)
e.g. It was A GAMBLE hiring such a young lawyer, but in the end it paid off (= was successful).
e.g. He likes to GAMBLE ON the horses. He wins from time to time. pic.twitter.com/zaTiqzUaVV

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) April 15, 2021

At the end is usually followed by an expression of time or space.

• Our teacher wrote the homework on the board at the end of the lesson.
• The museum is at the end of this street.
• At the end of the day it's just a game of football. It isn't worth getting upset about.

They say that the Scots hope for the best but expect the worst in terms of football. At the end of the day, it's only a game.
I try never to have high expectations.

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) March 24, 2020

At the end of the day = when  everything is considered; something that you say before you give the most important fact of a situation (al fin y al cabo)

Well, we are almost at the end of another year.

I'm quite proud to have completed another marathon - though it was tough. Since I crossed the finishing line, I haven't been running. 😌

— English in Madrid (@madteacher72) December 2, 2018

Not moving until the 31st but just got keys to new flat, which gives me a real BUZZ. I can see LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

— Graham Mad Teacher (@madteacher72) October 21, 2011

It's the same difference between in the beginning and at the beginning.

• In the beginning everyone was happy with the arrangement but then ...
• I get paid at the beginning of the month.

Hi, Graham! I'm already well but I think I caught the virus in the beginning. I'm teleworking from 16th of march and I'm doing it really well so I hope I can keep working this way for a long time. pic.twitter.com/trVbXLapJY

— Montse (@Mmoreno62) May 15, 2020

Common mistake:

I get paid at the final of the month.  😡   I get paid at the end of the month. 😍

There's a café at the final of the street.  😡    There's a café at the end of the street. 😍