ending
B1Neutral, formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
The final part or point of something; the conclusion.
The termination of a word (e.g., a grammatical suffix) or the final sequence of events in a story, film, etc.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word can refer to a physical conclusion (the end of a road), a temporal conclusion (the end of an era), or an abstract conclusion (the ending of a relationship). It often carries an emotional or evaluative connotation (a happy/sad ending).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'ending' is commonly used for story conclusions. In US English, 'end' can be used more interchangeably in some contexts (e.g., 'movie end' though 'movie ending' is standard). The '-ing' form is slightly more prevalent in UK English for narrative conclusions.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Can imply a sense of closure, resolution, or finality.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. Slight preference for 'ending' over 'end' for narrative/story conclusions is universal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the ending of [noun phrase][adjective] endingcome to an endingbring something to an endingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All's well that ends well”
- “a never-ending story”
- “tie up loose ends”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the termination of a contract, fiscal period, or project phase.
Academic
Used in literary analysis (narrative endings), linguistics (word endings), and history (end of an era).
Everyday
Most common for discussing films, books, relationships, events, or periods of time.
Technical
In linguistics: morphological suffix. In film/TV: the final scene or plot resolution.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The film is ending on a cliffhanger.
- They are ending their partnership amicably.
American English
- The show is ending its run next month.
- He's ending the call now.
adjective
British English
- The ending credits rolled.
- She felt an ending sense of relief.
American English
- The ending sequence was shocking.
- He had ending remarks for the committee.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like stories with a happy ending.
- The ending of the film was sad.
- The book's ending surprised everyone.
- They celebrated the ending of the school year.
- The director filmed several alternative endings for the movie.
- The sudden ending of their friendship left her confused.
- The novel's ambiguous ending has been debated by critics for decades.
- The treaty marked the ending of a prolonged and costly conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ending' with '-ing' like a story 'going' towards its finish.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A STORY / TIME IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'a new beginning after a sad ending').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'конец' as 'ending' for physical locations (use 'end' - the end of the street). 'Ending' is primarily for processes, stories, or periods.
- Do not confuse with 'end' as a verb. 'The movie is ending' (verb) vs 'The movie has a good ending' (noun).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ending' as a verb (incorrect: 'I am ending the book' - use 'finishing').
- Overusing 'ending' where 'end' is more natural (e.g., 'at the ending of the day' -> 'at the end of the day').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'ending' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used for any process, period, or event that concludes (e.g., ending of a war, ending of a contract, ending of a day).
'End' is a more general noun for a final point or boundary. 'Ending' specifically refers to the act, process, or manner of coming to an end, often implying a narrative or gradual conclusion.
No, 'ending' is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to end'. As a standalone headword, it is a noun.
In literary and film criticism, 'happy ending' is a standard term. In everyday conversation, it can sometimes be used critically to describe an overly neat or predictable conclusion.
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