an untimely end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an untimely end" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a death or conclusion that occurs unexpectedly or prematurely. Example: "The hero met an untimely end during the final battle, leaving the kingdom in mourning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rachel survived, but George met an untimely end.

Britannica

"The coyote had met an untimely end in Van Cortlandt Park," he recalled.

The New York Times

Without political support, however, a blacklist is likely to meet an untimely end.

The Washington Post

Boris Karloff appears as Nikko, who meets an untimely end in a struggle with Madison.

The New York Times

She appears to meet an untimely end: the first death-by-mirror I can recall seeing.

The New York Times

A labour dispute brought South Africa's previous biggest soap opera, Generations, to an untimely end last year.

The Guardian

Peeps came to an untimely end, as do many chickens (whose normal life span is seven to eight years).

The New York Times

And Musharraf undoubtedly recalls that Pakistan's last military ruler, General Zia, met an untimely end in a plane crash.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The rat had come to an untimely end, but was not possible to say if it had died before or after it got into the beans.

Independent

-- It began in September with a dead body and a mystery: which of six old high school friends from Bedford, N.Y., has come to an untimely end?

The New York Times

White's death in July 1973, shortly after the release of their only album, brought what would probably have been an influential band to an untimely end.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an untimely end" to add a touch of formality and gravity when describing deaths, project failures, or the cessation of significant events.

Common error

Avoid using "an untimely end" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "early finish" or "unexpected stop" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an untimely end" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a conclusion or death that occurs sooner than expected or is considered premature. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an untimely end" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a premature or unexpected conclusion, particularly in the context of death, events, or projects. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it carries a sense of unexpectedness and often implies a degree of tragedy or misfortune. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and wiki articles, making it a versatile phrase for formal and neutral communication. While accurate in various contexts, it may be more effective to utilize simpler alternatives in informal settings. The prevalence of examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian further validates its proper and common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a premature conclusion

Emphasizes the earliness of the ending.

an early demise

Specifically highlights the aspect of death or cessation.

an unexpected termination

Focuses on the abrupt and unforeseen nature of the finish.

a sudden cessation

Highlights the abruptness and finality of the ending.

an abrupt halt

Suggests a sudden stop or interruption.

a tragic finale

Emphasizes the unfortunate and sorrowful aspect of the conclusion.

a premature finish

Highlights that something ended before its natural or intended time.

an unforeseen conclusion

Emphasizes that the ending was not anticipated or predicted.

a regrettable end

Indicates that the ending is a cause for sadness or disappointment.

a heartbreaking conclusion

Highlights the emotional distress caused by the ending.

FAQs

How to use "an untimely end" in a sentence?

You can use "an untimely end" to describe something that finishes or dies prematurely. For example: "The project met "an untimely end" due to lack of funding."

What can I say instead of "an untimely end"?

You can use alternatives like "a premature conclusion", "an early demise", or "an unexpected termination" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "an untimely end" or "a untimely end"?

"An untimely end" is correct. The word 'untimely' starts with a vowel sound, so it requires the indefinite article 'an' instead of 'a'.

What's the difference between "an untimely end" and "an unexpected end"?

"An untimely end" suggests something ended prematurely or before its expected time, often with negative implications. "An unexpected end" simply means the ending was not anticipated, without necessarily implying it was premature or negative.