at the end vs in the end

Luba · Post by **Luba** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:07 pm

Hi guys,

I would like to ask you for help: can you explain me the difference between AT the end and IN the end? When am I supposed to use them?

Thank you,

L.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:34 pm

'At the end' appears for a start as part of many noun phrases (do a search on Google for the exact phrase "at the end" and see how many examples follow the form ' ~ of sthg), whereas 'in the end' seems a much more fixed/independent/detached adverbial with a consequently more limited/definable meaning (note that it gets separate treatment as an idiom, whilst 'at the end' doesn't):

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define. ... &dict=CALD

in the end: after a period of time, or after everything has been done:
What did you decide in the end?
➔ see usage note lastly
(from the LDOCE4 online: http://pewebdic2.cw.idm.fr/ - you'd have to scan through the page until entry number 14, no sublinks like the CALD!)

in the end
1 after a long period of time or series of events: He tried various jobs and in the end became an accountant.
2 after everything has been considered: You can try your best to impress the interviewers but in the end it’s often just a question of luck.
(from the OALDCE7 online: http://www.oup.com/elt/catalogue/teache ... ld7/?cc=gb - scroll down to the idioms section)

All that being said, 'at the end' strictly "in or by itself" means 'when sb is or was dying': http://www.geocities.com/friends_at_the_end/

Macavity · Post by **Macavity** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:25 am

Interestingly, and following on what FH says,at the end of the day seems to mean pretty much the same, when taken as an idiomatic phrase, as in the end

At the end of the day we all need to bring home the bacon.

In the end we all need to bring home the bacon (at the end of the day).

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:26 am

Wow! I was about to add (in an edit) that about the only possible cause for confusion would be in the synonymous sort of example(s) that you've thought up, Mac! Good on yer! Maybe that was just what was puzzling Luba.

I should've said something about this before, but I decided to wait in order to look for examples and/or guidance which very clearly indicated the (potential for) functional crossover; unfortunately I then got distracted with other threads. I was however generally reappraising my "old" Cambridge Dictionary of International English just now, thought I'd check in it for this stuff, and came across just the sort of thing that I'd been looking for:

Of course I will be taking advice on this matter, but in the end/(Br and Aus also) at the end of the day (=finally), it is up to me to decide what to do.

...

We were thinking about going to Switzerland, but in the end (=the final result/outcome was) we went to Austria instead.

Note also that the synonyms occur in simple present tense (for making generalities), but that it would be strange to use 'at the end of the day' in the past tense example (about the change of holiday plans), which is precisely why the dictionary unsurprisingly has it in a separate entry LOL. (The point I'm trying to make here is simply that 'in the end' works fine either way, in both contexts - maybe this is an example of efficiency, possibly even a propensity for cutting down on cliche by/in the language itself?).

Edit: Oops actually it's the Cambridge International Dictionary of English (CIDE), all the wishful EIL and ELF stuff in recent years must've got to my subconsciousness!

Luba · Post by **Luba** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:22 am

Wow, thank you for your help! I fully understood what you have written and advised. But can I use it with places too? for example: AT THE END of the street turn right?

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:40 pm

Yes, for directions, use 'at' - like I implied in my first post, 'at the end (of...,)' enters into far more phrases and thus has more uses.

Luba · Post by **Luba** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:31 pm

thank you, fluffyhamster, i really appreciate your help!

L.

fluffyhamster · Post by **fluffyhamster** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:59 pm

Mac deserves a nod too, y'know! But you doubtless meant 'both of you' when you said 'Wow, thank you for your help!' earlier, Luba!

Macavity · Post by **Macavity** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:52 am

I consider myself nodded. But Fluff, you embarrass me, my contribution is hardly worth the mention

Luba · Post by **Luba** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:48 pm

o oooh, sorry macavity!!! i was in such hurry!! THANK YOU BOTH of course. I apologize for being impolite

L.

thethinker · Post by **thethinker** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:05 pm

I've always taught this as follows:

at the end = focus on time period, e.g.

- At the end of the film there was a big fight, ...

in the end = focus on result, conclusions etc.

- ... but in the end everyone was happy.

Obviously there are other uses like 'at the end of the street' etc., but it seems to be the distinction above that causes most learner errors.

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