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phrase

in the end

in thuh END

In the end (phrase) means After everything that happened, or after a period of uncertainty or delay; used to introduce the final outcome. Example: “We argued about it for weeks, but in the end we kept the old supplier.”

phrase
1
After everything that happened, or after a period of uncertainty or delay; used to introduce the final outcome.
"We argued about it for weeks, but in the end we kept the old supplier."
"In the end, nobody was blamed."

How to use in the end

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow something turned out after all the fuss.

When to use it

Neutral; extremely common in narrative and conversation.

Memory tip

A frequent error is in the end of the film; correct that to at the end of the film.

Easily confused with
at the end in the end of at the end of the day
Common pairings
in the end it didn't matter but in the end
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We argued about it for weeks, but _____ we kept the old supplier.

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between in the end and at the end?

In the end means finally or eventually, after some process. At the end refers to a point in time or space and is normally followed by of, as in at the end of the film or at the end of the road.

What is the difference between in the end and finally?

Finally can simply mark the last item in a sequence, as in finally, we should note the cost. In the end always implies that there was doubt, delay or difficulty before the outcome arrived.

Is in the end the same as ultimately?

They overlap, but ultimately can also mean fundamentally or at the deepest level, as in ultimately it is a question of trust. In the end is about how something turned out.

What is the meaning of in the end?

"in the end" (phrase) means after everything that happened, or after a period of uncertainty or delay; used to introduce the final outcome.

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