ends up killing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ends up killing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something ultimately results in death, often in an unexpected or indirect manner. Example: "In the end, his reckless behavior ends up killing the innocent bystander."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A scuffle ensues and the murderer flees, but the actual Journet ends up killing him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If the U.A.E.'s R2 battalion ends up killing civilians, might we intervene?

The New Yorker

But how you stop people creeping back for the clandestine cuddle that ends up killing them is still a mystery.

Independent

It's time Washington policymakers and lawmakers rein in the proliferation and abuse of software that ends up killing innocent people.

The Washington Post

If Governor Rowland ends up killing the bill, he will likely repeat the litany of Republican criticisms of it.

The New York Times

James also humors his young admirer, Robert Ford Casey Affleckk), who starts off wanting to imitate his hero and ends up killing him.

The New Yorker

(He ends up killing her with poison, but she is reincarnated via heart transplant and the new heroine plots his comeuppance).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

[He then] went mad and ending up killing 6 million Jews.

The Guardian

M'Naghten tried to shoot Sir Robert Peel, the British prime minister, but ended up killing his secretary.

The New York Times - Magazine

He ended up killing 69 persons, of whom 67 were hit by fatal gunshots.

Crime Science

"Eventually, with this whole thing, they ended up killing themselves," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ends up killing", ensure the context clearly establishes the causal relationship between the initial action and the resulting death. Avoid ambiguity by specifying who or what "ends up killing" whom.

Common error

Avoid using "ends up killing" when describing premeditated murder. This phrase is most appropriate when the death is an unintended or unexpected consequence of an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ends up killing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the final outcome of a series of events, where that outcome is the act of causing death. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ends up killing" is a grammatically sound verbal phrase used to describe a series of events culminating in a death, often unintentionally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and widely used expression, predominantly found in news and media, as well as in encyclopedias and wikis. When using it, make sure to clearly establish the causal relationship to prevent misunderstandings. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "ultimately causes death". Overall, it’s a phrase that effectively communicates a fatal outcome resulting from a sequence of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

winds up causing death

Similar to "ends up", but uses "winds up" instead to indicate an unintended conclusion.

ultimately causes death

Replaces the idiomatic "ends up" with a more formal "ultimately" and uses "causes death" for a direct effect.

is responsible for the death of

Emphasizes responsibility for causing death without specifying the manner or intent.

results in fatality

More formal and clinical; replaces "killing" with "fatality".

leads to someone's demise

Emphasizes the process leading to death rather than the act of killing itself. It is also slightly more euphemistic.

brings about the death of

Formal and suggests a more indirect or causative role in someone's death.

inadvertently leads to death

Highlights the accidental or unintentional nature of the action that resulted in death.

proves fatal

Focuses on the quality of being deadly, rather than the action. It indicates that something turned out to be the cause of death.

becomes the death of

More figurative; suggesting that something was the ultimate cause or reason for someone's death.

fatally wounds

Focuses on the act of inflicting a wound that later results in death. It shifts the focus to the initial action rather than the final outcome.

FAQs

What does "ends up killing" mean?

The phrase "ends up killing" means that someone or something ultimately causes the death of someone or something else, often as an unintended or indirect consequence of a series of events.

How can I use "ends up killing" in a sentence?

You can use "ends up killing" to describe an action or situation that unintentionally results in death. For example, "His recklessness "ultimately causes death"."

What are some alternatives to "ends up killing"?

Some alternatives to "ends up killing" include "results in fatality", "leads to someone's demise", or "proves fatal", depending on the specific context.

Is "ends up killing" too informal for academic writing?

While "ends up killing" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "ultimately causes death" or "results in fatality" may be more suitable for academic writing.