it would end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would end" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express the idea of something coming to an end. For example, "She knew that if she stayed any longer, it would end badly".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I thought it would end".

The New York Times

"I never really thought it would end.

Independent

Here's how it would end.

The Washington Post

Somehow, it would end badly.

The New York Times - Sports

Conversation as we know it would end.

The Washington Post

Where it would end up nobody knew.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't think it would end.

The Guardian - Sport

We thought it would end there.

The Guardian - Music

Many had hoped it would end differently.

The New York Times

It would end up pulling you down.

The Guardian - Sport

We know where it would end.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it would end", ensure the context clearly establishes what 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it would end" when referring to a past event that has already ended. Use "it ended" instead to denote a completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would end" primarily functions as a clause expressing a conditional or hypothetical future event. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to describe the anticipated conclusion or termination of a situation or process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would end" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a conditional or hypothetical conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its specific tone depends on the surrounding text. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the subject 'it' to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use "it ended" when referring to past, completed events, and reserve "it would end" for future or conditional outcomes. The wide range of examples shows the adaptability and commonality of this phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was going to finish

Replaces 'would' with 'was going to', emphasizing a pre-determined future outcome. Synonymous.

it was destined to conclude

Uses 'destined' to imply inevitability and 'conclude' as a more formal synonym for 'end'.

it was to come to a close

Employs 'was to' suggesting a planned or expected conclusion, replacing 'end' with 'close'.

it was drawing to a halt

Uses the imagery of 'drawing to a halt' to convey a gradual ending.

it was approaching its termination

A more formal version, using 'approaching' and 'termination' to denote the end.

it was nearing completion

Focuses on the aspect of finishing or completing something.

it was on the verge of stopping

Highlights the imminence of the end or cessation.

the finale was imminent

Expresses the same concept using 'finale' and 'imminent', indicating an approaching final stage.

the conclusion was unavoidable

Focuses on the certainty of the end, using 'conclusion' and 'unavoidable'.

it was set to expire

Implies a predetermined ending date or time.

FAQs

How can I use "it would end" in a sentence?

You can use "it would end" to describe a hypothetical conclusion or a predictable outcome, for example, "If they continued fighting, it would end badly."

What are some alternatives to "it would end"?

Alternatives include "it would finish", "it would conclude", or "it would cease", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it will end" instead of "it would end"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "It will end" expresses a future certainty, while "it would end" suggests a conditional or hypothetical outcome.

What is the difference between "it ended" and "it would end"?

"It ended" refers to a completed action in the past, while "it would end" describes a hypothetical or conditional outcome in the future or past.