toward the end of

USAGE SUMMARY

"toward the end of" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say: "Toward the end of the meeting, we discussed the final details of the plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Toward the end of "Shipwrecked!

The New York Times

Toward the end of "Emerson," the schmear reappears.

The New Yorker

Toward the end of World War II, he was drafted.

The New York Times - Tech

Toward the end of the year they were married.

The New Yorker

The ones toward the end of life were much slower.

The New York Times - Science

Less urine is excreted toward the end of pregnancy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Check back toward the end of November.

The New York Times

He introduced it toward the end of 2009.

The New York Times - Food

Bala finished the book toward the end of 2002.

The New Yorker

I expect a ruling toward the end of this year.

The New Yorker

An agreement was finally obtained toward the end of November.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "toward the end of" to specify a period that is close to the conclusion of an event, process, or time frame, providing context without being overly precise. For example, "Toward the end of the project, we focused on final revisions."

Common error

Avoid using "toward the end of" when a specific date or time is known. Instead of saying "Toward the end of July, the conference will begin", it's more accurate to say "In late July, the conference will begin" or "The conference will begin on July 28th."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "toward the end of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying a point in time or a stage in a process that is close to its conclusion. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "toward the end of" is a prepositional phrase that effectively denotes nearing the conclusion of an event or process. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is most prevalent in news and media. Remember to avoid overuse when specific times are known and consider more formal alternatives like "near the close of" in professional settings. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability and proper usage. Be aware of subtle differences between similar expressions, such as "towards the end of", where the choice often depends on regional preference (American vs British English).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the close of

Replaces "toward" with "near" and "end" with "close", maintaining the meaning of approaching the final part.

in the final phase of

Emphasizes a structured final stage of something, maintaining the meaning of approaching the final part.

approaching the finale of

Uses "approaching" to convey movement toward the end, and "finale" to emphasize the concluding event.

as it draws to a close

Emphasizes the action of something drawing to a close, maintaining the meaning of approaching the final part.

as it concludes

Focuses on the action of concluding, rather than a specific endpoint.

in the waning moments of

Highlights the diminishing time remaining, adding a sense of finality.

on the verge of ending

Highlights the imminence of the end, suggesting that it is about to happen.

close to finishing

Emphasizes the process of finishing, implying nearness to the end.

nearing its completion

Focuses on the state of nearing completion, shifting the emphasis from the end itself to the process.

at the tail end of

Uses a more informal expression, "tail end", to indicate the final part.

FAQs

How can I use "toward the end of" in a sentence?

You can use "toward the end of" to indicate a period nearing the conclusion of something. For example, "Toward the end of the movie, the protagonist faces their ultimate challenge."

What's a more formal alternative to "toward the end of"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "near the close of" or "in the final phase of" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it always necessary to use "of" after "toward the end"?

Yes, the preposition "of" is essential to complete the phrase when indicating the conclusion of something. "Toward the end" is incomplete without specifying what is ending. For example: "toward the end of the meeting" is grammatically correct.

Which is correct, "towards the end of" or "toward the end of"?

"Toward the end of" and "towards the end of" are both correct. "Toward" is more common in American English, while "towards" is more common in British English. The meaning remains the same.