reaching the end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reaching the end" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of arriving at a conclusion, limit, or final point in a situation or narrative. Example: "After months of hard work, we are finally reaching the end of this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're reaching the end of tolerance.

The New York Times

He said: "I don't think we're reaching the end game.

The Guardian - Sport

Advisers were emotional about reaching the end of the race.

The New York Times

Mr. Childs, too, was reaching the end of his patience.

The New York Times

Obviously, we're reaching the end of the line".

The New York Times

It would be really weird to imagine reaching the "end" of space.

Cornell University

Against Cornell, Princeton's offense had taken advantage of its opportunities, reaching the end zone five times.

Princeton University

Month by month more appeals are reaching the end of the line.

University of California, Berkeley

When you increment them, be careful about reaching the end of the list.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But, he added, its mechanical and electrical systems are "reaching the end of their useful lives".

The Economist

Reaching the end of the rope, he was relieved there wasn't a body or human remains.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: Is it a physical end (like a road), a temporal end (like a deadline), or a conceptual end (like an argument)? Tailor your language accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "reaching the end" when a more direct term like "ending" or "finishing" would be clearer. The phrase is most effective when highlighting the journey or process of concluding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reaching the end" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the process of arriving at a conclusion or limit. As evidenced by Ludwig, it often describes progress toward a final state, emphasizing the journey rather than just the destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reaching the end" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe nearing a conclusion or limit. Ludwig's analysis shows it's most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. The phrase emphasizes the process of arriving at a final point, rather than just the final state itself. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

coming to an end

A straightforward alternative that simply states the termination of something.

on the verge of ending

Highlights being about to stop or conclude something.

drawing to a close

Emphasizes the gradual process of something ending, suitable for situations that conclude over time.

concluding phase

Highlights the section where a specific process is ending.

approaching the finale

Focuses on the concluding event or performance, implying a sense of anticipation.

final stretch

Denotes the last portion of a journey or task, often implying effort to finish.

nearing completion

Highlights the progress made towards finishing a task or project.

at the final stage

Indicates being in the last phase of a process, emphasizing position rather than movement.

reaching the limit

Indicates arriving at the boundary or maximum extent of something.

seeing the last of

Describes the end of a supply or resource, or the conclusion of an opportunity.

FAQs

What does "reaching the end" mean?

The phrase "reaching the end" signifies arriving at the final point, limit, or conclusion of something, whether it's a physical location, a process, a period, or an abstract concept.

How can I use "reaching the end" in a sentence?

You can use "reaching the end" to describe nearing a conclusion, such as "We are "approaching the deadline"" or "The project is "nearing completion"".

What are some alternatives to "reaching the end"?

Some alternatives to "reaching the end" include "coming to a close", "drawing to a close", or "nearing the end", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "reaching the end" and "at the end"?

"Reaching the end" implies a process of getting to the final point, while "at the end" describes the state of already being there. For example, "After a long journey, we are finally reaching the end" versus "We are at the end of our journey".