terrible ending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrible ending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conclusion of a story, movie, or any narrative that is unsatisfactory or disappointing. Example: "I enjoyed the book until the terrible ending left me feeling frustrated and unsatisfied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Half-Life 2 was a brilliant game marred by a terrible ending.

The New York Times - Tech

And that terrible ending where Sid and Nancy go off to rock 'n' roll heaven, you know, in the taxi.

The Guardian - Music

I remember telling my wife, 'I really love doing this.' " The first fight he remembers in detail had a terrible ending.

The New York Times - Sports

He looked around him, he said, at his patched-up life, his rehabbed body, and he started to wonder again, about the respect, the applause – and the terrible ending.

The Guardian - Sport

Ursula carries within her a vague, dimly apprehended sense of other, semi-lived lives, inexpressible except as impetuous actions – such as when she pushes a housemaid down the stairs to save her from a more terrible ending.

The Guardian - Books

A movie like "Threads" is committed to the human reality of the end of the world, and, like the Bible, or, for that matter, like "Dawn of the Dead," it offers us a moral vision of the apocalypse as a day of judgment: on some level, we deserve the terrible ending.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A trial in Cleveland to determine whether to strip United States citizenship from John Demjanjuk, the man once thought to be the sadistic Nazi death camp guard known as Ivan the Terrible, ended without his taking the stand.

The New York Times

It's been a terrible week ending a terrible year for aviation.

Independent

The story of Levi's terrible end is well known.

The New Yorker

"I never believed that they were the architects of their own terrible end.

The Guardian - Business

Let's talk about his lightning-quick beginning and his terrible end".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing creative works, use "terrible ending" to convey strong disapproval or disappointment with the conclusion, indicating that it negatively impacted your overall experience.

Common error

While "terrible ending" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more nuanced and descriptive alternatives like "unfortunate outcome" or "unsatisfactory resolution" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible ending" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "terrible," which modifies the noun "ending," to express a negative quality associated with the conclusion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible ending" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to express strong disappointment or disapproval with the conclusion of a narrative, event, or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most frequently encountered in the contexts of news and media, books, and sports. While it effectively conveys a negative sentiment, writers should consider the formality of their writing and opt for alternatives like "unfortunate outcome" or "unsatisfactory resolution" in more formal settings. By understanding its usage, potential errors, and available alternatives, writers can effectively and appropriately incorporate "terrible ending" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful conclusion

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", maintaining a similar level of negativity but altering the specific adjective used.

dreadful finale

Substitutes both "terrible" and "ending" with synonyms "dreadful" and "finale", offering a slightly more dramatic tone.

unfortunate outcome

Shifts the focus to the result rather than the concluding event, using a more general term for negativity.

catastrophic resolution

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the conclusion, suggesting a more significant negative impact.

disastrous culmination

Focuses on the disastrous nature of something coming to an end.

tragic close

Highlights the sadness and severity of the ending, implying a loss or great misfortune.

bitter end

Implies a sense of disappointment and resentment associated with the conclusion.

negative finish

Offers a more neutral way of expressing an undesirable conclusion.

poorly executed ending

Focuses on the quality of the ending, suggesting that it was not well done or well-received.

unsatisfactory denouement

Uses a more formal and literary term for the resolution, while highlighting its unsatisfying nature.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible ending" in a sentence?

You can use "terrible ending" to describe something that concludes in a very negative or disappointing way. For example: "The movie had a great plot, but the terrible ending ruined it for me."

What are some alternatives to "terrible ending"?

You can use alternatives like "awful conclusion", "tragic close", or "unfortunate outcome" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "terrible ending" or "terrible end"?

"Terrible ending" refers specifically to the conclusion of a narrative or event, while "terrible end" is a broader term that can refer to any disastrous final state or death. The choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.

What's the difference between "terrible ending" and "disappointing ending"?

"Terrible ending" suggests a more severe negative impact or a shocking and unwelcome conclusion. "Disappointing ending" simply indicates that the conclusion did not meet expectations, but may not have been actively bad.