Confused Words: End vs. Finish

Confused Words - End vs. Finish

Hello, learners! Today, we’re diving into an often-confusing pair of English words: end and finish. Though they seem similar, using them properly can make a huge difference in your language fluency. Let’s get started, shall we?

End

First, let’s explore end. The word “end” (IPA: /end/) generally refers to the final part or point of something. Think of it as a stop or termination point.

Here are 10 examples:

  1. The end of the movie made me cry. (The final part of the movie)
  2. We live at the end of the street. (The final point of the street)
  3. The end of the rope is frayed. (The last part of the rope)
  4. I’m at my wit’s end. (The final limit of my patience)
  5. The concert came to an end. (The concert finished)
  6. We’re nearing the end of our journey. (Close to the final part of our journey)
  7. This is the end of the line for him. (His journey or path stops here)
  8. The week is finally at an end. (The week is finished)
  9. He’s at the end of his career. (His career is close to finishing)
  10. The book’s end was unexpected. (The book’s final part was surprising)

Finish

Next up is finish. “Finish” (IPA: /ˈfɪnɪʃ/) is about completing something or bringing it to a conclusion. It’s more about the act of completing rather than the final point or part.

Let’s see it in action with 10 examples:

  1. Did you finish your homework? (Did you complete your homework?)
  2. Let’s finish this game before dinner. (Let’s complete this game)
  3. I can’t finish this large pizza alone. (I can’t eat the whole pizza)
  4. They finished building the house. (They completed the construction)
  5. He finished last in the race. (He was the last one to complete the race)
  6. She finished writing her novel. (She completed writing her novel)
  7. The painter finished the portrait. (The painter completed the artwork)
  8. We finished our discussion. (We completed our conversation)
  9. The teacher finished grading the papers. (The teacher completed marking the papers)
  10. I finished reading the book. (I completed reading the book)

Conclusion

Remember, while both end and finish relate to termination or conclusion, “end” is typically about the final part or point of something, and “finish” is about the act of completion. Use these words carefully to enrich your English communication.

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