at the tail end of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the tail end of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the final part or conclusion of something, such as a process, event, or time period. Example: "We will discuss the budget adjustments at the tail end of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But we're at the tail end of it".

The New York Times

He arrived at the tail end of the boom.

The New York Times - Travel

This was in 1990, at the tail end of the last recession.

The Guardian - Books

And then, too, we were at the tail end of the war with Italy.

The New York Times - Arts

By the final climb, he was at the tail end of the main group.

The New York Times - Sports

She was born Odetta Holmes, at the tail end of December , 1930 in Birmingham, Alabama.

The New Yorker

Atlas came to New York in the late seventies, at the tail end of that era.

The New Yorker

We are pretty much at the tail end of getting rid of those.

The New York Times

The youngest of six brothers, he was born at the tail end of the Great Depression.

The New York Times - Magazine

Increasingly, 12th-grade classrooms are filled with students at the tail end of their teenage years.

The New York Times

At the tail end of the 1990s there was plenty of evidence backing Mr. Lee's optimism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the tail end of" to emphasize that something is nearing its conclusion or final stage. This phrase works well when describing processes, events, or periods of time.

Common error

Avoid using "at the tail end of" when referring to the very beginning of something. The phrase specifically indicates the final part or conclusion. Instead, use phrases like "at the start of" or "in the initial phase of" for beginnings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the tail end of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or noun phrase. It indicates the concluding period or terminal segment of an event, process, or timeline. As shown in Ludwig, it specifies when something occurs in relation to its completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the tail end of" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the final part or concluding stages of an event, process, or period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, especially in news and media contexts. While alternatives such as "toward the end of" or "in the final stages of" exist, "at the tail end of" provides a clear and concise way to specify timing near the conclusion. When writing, it's important to use this phrase to indicate the approaching conclusion rather than the beginning of something. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toward the end of

Focuses on the temporal aspect of approaching the conclusion.

near the close of

Highlights the nearing of a concluding event or period.

in the final stages of

Emphasizes the progression into the last steps of a process.

at the concluding part of

More formal, stressing the terminal section.

during the last phase of

Implies a process with defined phases coming to an end.

at the back end of

Similar in meaning, but might imply a physical location at the end.

at the fag end of

An informal phrase indicating the very last part, less formal than the original.

as something draws to a close

Suggests the gradual ending of an event or activity.

towards the termination of

A more technical and formal phrasing focusing on the end.

in the waning moments of

Evokes a sense of decline or fading as something ends.

FAQs

How can I use "at the tail end of" in a sentence?

The phrase "at the tail end of" is used to describe the final part or conclusion of something. For example, "We are "at the tail end of" the project, so we need to focus on revisions".

What phrases are similar to "at the tail end of"?

Similar phrases include "toward the end of", "near the close of", or "in the final stages of".

Is "at the tail end of" formal or informal?

"At the tail end of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for academic or professional writing.

Can "at the tail end of" be used to describe physical locations?

While primarily used for time or processes, "at the tail end of" can metaphorically describe the physical end of something linear, though it's more common to use "at the end of" or similar phrases in such cases.