at an end

USAGE SUMMARY

'at an end' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been completed or finished. For example, "After months of hard work, the project was finally at an end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My journey is at an end.

Independent

"Our patience is at an end.

Independent

Right, my patience is at an end.

The New Yorker

However, this may be at an end.

The New Yorker

Now the giving is at an end.

The Economist

"The hearing is at an end".

The New Yorker

The trial was at an end.

Harvard University

By 1877 Reconstruction was at an end.

Britannica

Archives|Resolved: Science Is at an End.

The New York Times - Science

The matter is now at an end.

The Guardian - Sport

The mighty conflict is at an end.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at an end" to denote a clear and definitive conclusion or completion of an event, process, or period. For instance, "The negotiation was at an end after the agreement was signed."

Common error

Avoid using "at an end" when implying a temporary pause or a possible continuation. Instead, use phrases like "on hold" or "interrupted" to reflect the temporary nature of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at an end" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it has reached its conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "The game is at an end."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at an end" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the completion or termination of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts, denoting a sense of finality. For variety, consider using alternatives such as "finished", "over", or "concluded". When writing, make sure to reserve "at an end" for situations that have truly concluded and not merely paused. With its frequent occurrence and clear meaning, "at an end" remains a useful and reliable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finished

Single-word alternative indicating completion.

completed

Similar to finished, but can imply a more formal or structured completion.

over

Simple and direct synonym for "at an end".

concluded

More formal term suggesting a definitive ending.

terminated

Implies a more abrupt or forceful ending.

brought to a close

A more elaborate way of saying something has ended.

drawing to a close

Indicates the process of ending, rather than the state of being ended.

in the past

Focuses on the fact that something is no longer happening.

no more

Emphasizes the cessation of something.

a thing of the past

Indicates that something belongs to a previous time and is no longer relevant.

FAQs

How can I use "at an end" in a sentence?

You can use "at an end" to describe something that has finished or concluded, such as "The project is finally "at an end"" or "Her patience was "at an end"".

What's a formal alternative to "at an end"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "concluded", "terminated", or "brought to a close" instead of ""at an end"".

Is it correct to say "to an end" instead of "at an end"?

While "to an end" might seem similar, it's not the standard usage. The correct and more common phrase is ""at an end"", indicating the cessation of something.

What are some similar phrases to "at an end" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use similar phrases such as "finished", "over", or "completed" as alternatives to ""at an end"" to add variety to your writing.