ends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ends" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used to refer to the conclusion or termination of something, such as a story, event, or process. Example: "The movie has a surprising twist at the ends that leaves the audience in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's gone full cycle and it ends on a high note".

The Guardian

I hope Katie ends up running a big company - an ambition she revealed in last night's show.

The Guardian

All's well that ends well.

The New York Times - Arts

Glue the ends of the strips together to make a ring shaped headband.

The Guardian

Skeptics argue that a large portion of those jobs are low-wage, part-time jobs that do little to help the families that struggle to make ends meet.

The Guardian - Money

It is at around 90 seconds into the clip that Speroni grimaces, the commentator declaring "and I'm not quite sure what he's doing" as the goalkeeper dawdles at a back-pass, fails to trick Kevin Campbell and ends up conceding a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, the story ends with a glorious flourish that should be pure feelgood cheese but actually comes across as uncontrived and genuinely emotional (it would be a crime to spoil it).

The Guardian - Film

Related: The Guardian view on care workers: undervalued, underpaid | Editorial Yet care providers have a point when they ask how they are supposed to make ends meet on the rates they are paid by council commissioners.

The Guardian

"It means your dad working all the overtime hours that London Transport will give you, aspiration means your mum, notwithstanding having eight children, works as a seamstress at home as well to make ends meet.

The Guardian

Neither will Ben Bernanke, the current chairman of the Fed, whose term ends in January and who earlier pleaded a dubious "scheduling conflict".

The Guardian - Opinion

If Ukraine ends up with a mixture of ethnic fundamentalism and liberal capitalism, with oligarchs pulling the strings, it will be as European as Russia (or Hungary) is today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ends" to clearly indicate the termination or conclusion of an event, process, or narrative. Ensure the context makes the ending clear and logical for the reader.

Common error

Avoid confusing "ends" (plural noun or third-person singular verb) with "end's" (possessive form of "end") or "end" (singular noun or verb). Using the wrong form can alter the meaning of your sentence and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ends" is either as a third-person singular verb indicating the termination of an action or event, or as a plural noun referring to multiple endpoints or purposes. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

15%

Film

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ends" is a grammatically correct and very common term used to indicate the termination or conclusion of something. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions both as a third-person singular verb and a plural noun, adapting to various contexts from news and media to sports and film. It's important to differentiate between its verbal and nominal forms, avoiding confusion with possessive forms like "end's". By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "ends" to convey precise meanings in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concludes

Focuses on the act of bringing something to a formal close.

finishes

Indicates the completion of an activity or process.

terminates

Suggests a more abrupt or formal cessation.

ceases

Implies a stopping or discontinuing of something.

halts

Indicates a sudden stop or pause.

wraps up

Suggests a casual and complete finishing.

draws to a close

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the ending.

comes to an end

Highlights the finality of the conclusion.

is completed

Focuses on the state of being finished.

dissolves

Implies a gradual fading or disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "ends" in a sentence?

You can use "ends" to indicate the termination of something, as in "The movie "ends" with a surprising twist" or to refer to multiple extremities, as in "The table has four "ends"".

What are some alternatives to using "ends"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "concludes", "finishes", or "terminates".

When should I use "ends" versus "end"?

"Ends" is used either as a plural noun referring to multiple endpoints or as a third-person singular verb. "End" is used as a singular noun or a verb meaning to terminate. For example, "The road has two "ends"" versus "The road will "end" soon".

What is the difference between "ends" and "comes to an end"?

"Ends" is a more direct and concise way to express termination. "Comes to an end" is a more descriptive phrase that emphasizes the process or event reaching its conclusion.