In the end v At the end


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.

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.

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)


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.

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. 😍 

Comments

Graham said…
These is just one of the many, many confusing expressions in English. Have a look back at all the other confusing words (see under labels).
Graham said…
These is... WRONG

This is... RIGHT
Unknown said…
Great Graham.

If I understand well:
- "in the end" is used to say "finally". For example: We could win the championship in the end, after a very hard working year.
- "at the end" is used to say that you are in the final stage of something. For example: At the end of the month, we could win five matches.
- There exist the same differences as "in the end" and "at the end" but with the expressions "in the beginning" and "at the beginning".

Regards
Alejandro
Graham said…
Evening Alejandro,

In the end is similar to finally - the final thing to happen after a serious of things. Finally might suggest you've been waiting a long time for it to happen.

We could win the championship in the end after working hard all year / after a tough year.

At the end of sth (you never say in the end of sth). The example you give doesn't sound right. I'd say - By the end of the month, we could have won five matches.

I get paid at the end of the month. There's a cinema at the end of my street.