Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? James is jumping to explain the difference between in the end and at the end. Give us 60 seconds and we’ll give you the English!
James
Welcome back to English In A Minute from BBC Learning English. I’m James and today we’re going to talk about the difference between in the end and at the end.
We’re going to go to the beach at the end of the month. In this example, we’re talking about a specific moment in time – the final moment of the month.
In the end, we decided not to go to the beach. Whereas at the end is about the final moments, in the end is about the time leading up to the final moments. Let me explain the example in more detail.
Hey there! Shall we go to the beach?
Sam
I’m not sure – I might be busy.
Dan
Did you two go to the beach?
James
No. In the end, we couldn’t go.
Sam and I considered going to the beach, but eventually, we decided not to go. If at the end of the video you don’t quite understand, watch it again. In the end, you might just find it useful. Bye, everyone!
In the end vs At the end
At the end
At the end in reference to time means ‘at the final moment’. To use at the end with a specific time or situation, use ‘of’. It can also be used to talk about the physical position of something.
- We’re going to go to the beach at the end of the month
- I know I pay you at the beginning of the week, but I want to pay at the end.
- I’m sorry. There’s a queue here. Please go and join at the end.
In the end
In the end can mean ‘eventually’ – something that will surely happen after an undetermined amount of time. We can also use it as a kind of conclusion to mean ‘after considering all relevant information’
- What happened in the end?
- In the end, we decided not to go to the beach.
- In the end, history will remember what it wants regardless of our choices.