supposed to end

USAGE SUMMARY

"supposed to end" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something was anticipated or expected to finish, but did not. Here is an example sentence: The film was supposed to end with a happy ending, but the director decided to make it more ambiguous.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Negotiations are supposed to end on Friday.

The New York Times

It wasn't supposed to end this way.

The New York Times

It wasn't supposed to end like this.

The Guardian - Sport

But tonight was supposed to end differently.

The New York Times - Sports

Whichever way it was supposed to end, it was not supposed to end like this.

The Guardian - Sport

The war that was supposed to end all wars.

Independent

It was not supposed to end this way.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was supposed to end much earlier than it did.

The New York Times - Arts

The Schumann was supposed to end the concert.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You can also plant the seeds more or less where they are supposed to end up.

WikiHow

And so, overall, it's supposed to end up just going down.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposed to end" to describe events, agreements, or periods with an expected termination point. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "supposed to end" when there's no prior expectation of an ending. The phrase implies a plan or expectation that might not have been met, not simply a description of something that concludes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “supposed to end” functions as a modal verb phrase indicating an expectation, plan, or agreement regarding the termination of an event, period, or agreement. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse contexts, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “supposed to end” is a versatile phrase used to express an expected conclusion, whether of a meeting, a contract, or even the world! According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. As the Ludwig examples demonstrate, the phrase is used across various contexts, though most commonly in news and media. Remembering its implication of an expectation can help prevent misuse. Consider alternatives like "expected to conclude" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expected to conclude

Focuses on the anticipation or prediction of something finishing.

scheduled to finish

Emphasizes that a time or date was set for something to be completed.

intended to terminate

Highlights the original plan or purpose for something to stop.

meant to cease

Implies a predetermination or design for something to come to an end.

due to expire

Indicates that something is reaching the end of its validity or term.

set to lapse

Suggests a more passive ending, where something simply runs out of time.

programmed to halt

Conveys a sense of automatic or pre-set termination.

designed to stop

Emphasizes the deliberate planning of an ending or cessation.

bound to conclude

Implies a sense of inevitability or destiny regarding the ending.

destined to end

Suggests a predetermined or unavoidable ending.

FAQs

How can I use "supposed to end" in a sentence?

You can use "supposed to end" to describe something that was scheduled or expected to finish at a certain time, as in "The meeting was "supposed to end" at 5 PM, but it ran over by an hour."

What's a more formal alternative to "supposed to end"?

In a more formal context, consider using "expected to conclude" or "scheduled to terminate". For example, "The contract is "expected to conclude" at the end of the fiscal year."

What does it mean when something is "not supposed to end" a certain way?

Saying something is "not supposed to end" a certain way implies that the actual outcome is undesirable or unexpected. It suggests that the situation has deviated from the anticipated or preferred result.

Is there a difference between "supposed to end" and "going to end"?

"Supposed to end" implies a plan, expectation, or agreement about when something will finish. "Going to end" simply indicates a future conclusion without necessarily implying prior intent or scheduling.