towards the end

USAGE SUMMARY

"towards the end" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a point that is close to the conclusion of something. For example, "Towards the end of the movie, the plot took an unexpected twist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Diana Athill's Somewhere Towards the End is published by Granta.

The Guardian - Books

Betty was "much diminished" towards the end.

Independent

Admittedly, they became patchy towards the end.

The Economist

Especially towards the end.

The Guardian - Film

Things went wrong towards the end.

Independent

comes back towards the end.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Towards the end of last year trade all but collapsed.

The Economist

This was towards the end of 2012.

The Guardian

Note: class will begin towards the end of October.

Columbia University

The gloves really came off towards the end of 2008.

The Guardian

I'll be back towards the end of December".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "towards the end", ensure the context clearly indicates what is coming to a conclusion. For example, "Towards the end of the concert, the band played their most popular song."

Common error

Avoid using "towards the end" when you mean "at the end". "Towards the end" indicates a period leading up to the conclusion, not the final moment itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "towards the end" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of time. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying when something occurs in relation to the conclusion of an event or period. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "towards the end" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the period approaching the conclusion of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation. When using the phrase, be sure to distinguish it from "at the end", which refers to the final point itself. Common alternatives include "near the finale" and "close to the finish". Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Academia reflects its versatility and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near the finale

This alternative uses the word 'finale' which implies the concluding part of a performance or event, differing slightly in context from "end".

as it concludes

This phrase uses a verb form to describe the concluding action itself, rather than a position in time relative to the end.

close to the finish

This alternative replaces "end" with "finish", which is more common in contexts related to races or competitions.

in the final stages

This phrase emphasizes the process of nearing completion, rather than the end point itself.

approaching its termination

This alternative uses a more formal and technical term, "termination", which can be suitable for certain contexts but less common in everyday language.

drawing to a close

This phrase uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the sense of something gradually ending.

as it winds down

This alternative suggests a gradual decrease in activity or intensity as something nears its end.

in the latter part

This phrase refers to the second half or final section of something, but is more general than specifying the very end.

getting near the close

Similar to "close to the finish", this alternative uses "close" as a synonym for "end", suggesting a nearing conclusion.

on its last legs

This idiom implies something is nearing its end due to being worn out or depleted.

FAQs

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

Use "towards the end" to indicate that something is happening close to the conclusion of an event, period, or process. For example, "Towards the end of the project, we encountered several unexpected challenges."

What are some alternatives to using "towards the end"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "near the finale", "close to the finish", or "in the final stages" to express a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "at the end" refers to the precise concluding point, while "towards the end" refers to the period or events leading up to that final point.

Can "towards the end" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "towards the end" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.