End vs. Ending — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 21, 2024
"End" refers to the final part or conclusion of something, often implying termination, while "ending" denotes the manner or style in which something concludes, focusing on the process or narrative closure.
Difference Between End and Ending
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "end" is used to describe the final part or termination point of an event, story, time period, or object. It signifies the point at which something ceases to continue. For example, the end of a book refers to its last pages where the story concludes. Conversely, "ending" refers more specifically to the way in which something concludes, often with a focus on the narrative or emotional resolution. For instance, the ending of a movie involves not just its final scenes, but also how the storylines are wrapped up and the emotional closure it provides to the audience.
In usage, "end" can be both literal, as in the end of a road, and metaphorical, such as the end of an era. It is often used in broader contexts, beyond just narratives or stories. On the other hand, "ending" is more commonly associated with stories, performances, or events, emphasizing the quality, style, or nature of the conclusion rather than just its occurrence.
While "end" can denote a definitive stop or finish, suggesting finality, "ending" often carries implications about the manner of concluding, which can be open to interpretation or varied in its emotional impact. For example, a book might have a conclusive end, but its ending could be described as happy, sad, ambiguous, or cliffhanging, providing a qualitative aspect to the narrative's conclusion.
In discussions about narratives or creative works, "ending" allows for more nuanced conversations, focusing on the execution and impact of the conclusion. In contrast, "end" might be used in more practical or factual discussions, where the emphasis is on the point of termination rather than the nuances of how something concludes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The final part or termination point of something.
The manner or style in which something concludes.
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Usage
Broad, can be literal or metaphorical.
Often associated with narratives and their closure.
Implication
Finality and cessation.
Quality, style, and emotional resolution of a conclusion.
Contexts
General use, beyond narratives.
Primarily used in discussions about stories, movies, etc.
Focus
On the point where something stops.
On how the conclusion is executed and received.
Compare with Definitions
End
The end refers to the final part or termination of something.
The end of the concert was marked by a spectacular fireworks display.
Ending
"Ending" describes how a narrative or event concludes.
The movie's ending left the audience in tears.
End
It denotes a point of termination.
They reached the end of the hiking trail by sunset.
Ending
It focuses on the style and emotional impact of the conclusion.
The novel's ambiguous ending sparked much debate among readers.
End
It can signify the conclusion of various entities.
The end of the year is a time for reflection.
Ending
Often associated with stories and creative works.
The playwright crafted a surprising ending to the drama.
End
Used in both literal and metaphorical senses.
The end of the road symbolized the end of their journey together.
Ending
It provides narrative or emotional closure.
The ending of the poem provided a poignant closure to its themes.
End
"End" emphasizes cessation or completion.
The project's end came after months of hard work.
Ending
The ending can be open, closed, happy, or sad.
The story had a happy ending, with all characters finding peace.
End
Either extremity of something that has length
The end of the pier.
Ending
A conclusion or termination.
End
The outside or extreme edge or physical limit; a boundary
The end of town.
Ending
A concluding part; a finale
A happy ending.
End
The point in time when an action, event, or phenomenon ceases or is completed; the conclusion
The end of the day.
Ending
(Grammar) The final morpheme added to a word base to make an inflectional form, such as -ed in walked.
End
A result; an outcome.
Ending
A termination or conclusion.
End
Something toward which one strives; a goal.
Ending
The last part of something.
End
The ultimate extent; the very limit
The end of one's patience.
Ending
(grammar) The last morpheme of a word, added to some base to make an inflected form (such as -s in "dogs").
End
(Slang) The very best; the ultimate
This pizza's the end.
Ending
Present participle of end
End
A remainder; a remnant.
Ending
The final syllable or letter of a word; the part joined to the stem. See 3d Case, 5.
End
A share of a responsibility or obligation
Your end of the bargain.
Ending
The end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme);
I don't like words that have -ism as an ending
End
A particular area of responsibility
In charge of the business end of the campaign.
Ending
The act of ending something;
The termination of the agreement
End
A warp end.
Ending
The point in time at which something ends;
The end of the year
The ending of warranty period
End
(Football) Either of the players in the outermost position on the line of scrimmage. Offensive ends are eligible to catch passes.
Ending
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
End
To bring to a conclusion
Let's end this discussion.
End
To form the last or concluding part of
The song that ended the performance.
End
To destroy
Ended our hopes.
End
To come to a finish; cease
The rain ended.
End
To arrive at a place, situation, or condition as a result of a course of action. Often used with up
He ended up as an adviser to the president. The painting ended up being sold for a million dollars.
End
To die.
End
The terminal point of something in space or time.
At the end of the road, turn left.
At the end of the story, the main characters fall in love.
End
The most extreme point of an object, especially one that is longer than it is wide.
Hold the string at both ends.
My father always sat at the end of the table nearest the kitchen.
End
Result.
End
A purpose, goal, or aim.
For what end should I toil?
The end of our club is to advance conversation and friendship.
End
(cricket) One of the two parts of the ground used as a descriptive name for half of the ground.
The Pavillion End
End
(American football) The position at the end of either the offensive or defensive line, a tight end, a split end, a defensive end.
End
(curling) A period of play in which each team throws eight rocks, two per player, in alternating fashion.
End
(mathematics) An ideal point of a graph or other complex. See End (graph theory)
End
That which is left; a remnant; a fragment; a scrap.
Odds and ends
End
One of the yarns of the worsted warp in a Brussels carpet.
End
Money.
Don't give them your ends. You jack that shit!
End
To come to an end
Is this movie never going to end?
The lesson will end when the bell rings.
End
(transitive) To finish, terminate.
The referee blew the whistle to end the game.
End
The extreme or last point or part of any material thing considered lengthwise (the extremity of breadth being side); hence, extremity, in general; the concluding part; termination; close; limit; as, the end of a field, line, pole, road; the end of a year, of a discourse; put an end to pain; - opposed to beginning, when used of anything having a first part.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.
End
Point beyond which no procession can be made; conclusion; issue; result, whether successful or otherwise; conclusive event; consequence.
My guilt be on my head, and there an end.
O that a man might knowThe end of this day's business ere it come!
End
The object aimed at in any effort considered as the close and effect of exertion; ppurpose; intention; aim; as, to labor for private or public ends.
Losing her, the end of living lose.
When every man is his own end, all things will come to a bad end.
End
That which is left; a remnant; a fragment; a scrap; as, odds and ends.
I clothe my naked villainyWith old odd ends stolen out of holy writ,And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.
End
One of the yarns of the worsted warp in a Brussels carpet.
End
To bring to an end or conclusion; to finish; to close; to terminate; as, to end a speech.
On the seventh day God ended his work.
End
To form or be at the end of; as, the letter k ends the word back.
End
To come to the ultimate point; to be finished; to come to a close; to cease; to terminate; as, a voyage ends; life ends; winter ends.
End
Either extremity of something that has length;
The end of the pier
She knotted the end of the thread
They rode to the end of the line
End
The point in time at which something ends;
The end of the year
The ending of warranty period
The middle of the war
Rain during the middle of April
End
The concluding parts of an event or occurrence;
The end was exciting
I had to miss the last of the movie
End
The state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it;
The ends justify the means
End
A final part or section;
We have given it at the end of the section since it involves the calculus
Start at the beginning and go on until you come to the end
A whole is that which has beginning, middle, and end
End
A final state;
He came to a bad end
The so-called glorious experiment came to an inglorious end
End
The surface at either extremity of a three-dimensional object;
One end of the box was marked `This side up'
End
(football) the person who plays at one end of the line of scrimmage;
The end managed to hold onto the pass
End
One of two places from which people are communicating to each other;
The phone rang at the other end
Both ends wrote at the same time
End
A boundary marking the extremities of something;
The end of town
End
The part you are expected to play;
He held up his end
End
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
End
A piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold
End
A position on the line of scrimmage;
No one wanted to play end
End
Have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical;
The bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed
Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other
My property ends by the bushes
The symphony ends in a pianissimo
End
Bring to an end or halt;
She ended their friendship when she found out that he had once been convicted of a crime
The attack on Poland terminated the relatively peaceful period after WWI
The U.S. started a war in the Middle East
The Iraqis began hostilities
Begin a new chapter in your life
End
Be the end of; be the last or concluding part of;
This sad scene ended the movie
End
Put an end to;
The terrible news ended our hopes that he had survived
Common Curiosities
How is "ending" used differently?
"The novel's ending, full of unexpected twists, left readers pondering for days."
Can both "end" and "ending" be used interchangeably?
While related, they are not always interchangeable; "end" focuses on the point of termination, while "ending" emphasizes the nature of the conclusion.
What is the "end" of something?
The "end" refers to the final part, termination, or conclusion of something, marking the point at which it ceases to continue.
How is "end" used in a sentence?
"The end of the journey was both relieving and bittersweet."
How do the terms apply to stories or movies?
In stories or movies, the "end" refers to the final part, while the "ending" discusses how the storylines are concluded and the emotional satisfaction or resolution provided.
Why is the distinction important in literary discussions?
The distinction allows for more nuanced analysis of narrative structures and the effectiveness of story conclusions.
Are there genres where "ending" is more important than "end"?
In narrative-driven genres like novels and films, the "ending" is often more emphasized due to its impact on the story's resolution and emotional effect.
How does context affect the use of "end" and "ending"?
The context, whether it's a narrative, a project, or a time period, influences whether the focus is on the point of termination ("end") or the manner of conclusion ("ending").
How do creators approach crafting an "ending"?
Creators often carefully craft an "ending" to ensure it aligns with thematic elements, character arcs, and intended audience reactions.
Can the quality of an "ending" affect the overall perception of a story?
Absolutely, the ending can significantly impact the audience's overall satisfaction and the lasting impression of a story.
What does "ending" mean?
"Ending" refers to the manner, style, or nature of how something concludes, often with an emphasis on narrative or emotional resolution.
What role does audience expectation play in "endings"?
Audience expectations can greatly influence the reception of an "ending," with unexpected conclusions sometimes being the most impactful.
Is "end" always a physical location?
No, "end" can refer to both physical locations (like the end of a road) and metaphorical or temporal points (like the end of an era).
Can "ending" refer to a conclusion without closure?
Yes, an "ending" can be ambiguous or open-ended, leaving room for interpretation or continuation.
Can an "end" be definitive while an "ending" is left open?
Yes, a story can reach a definitive end while leaving its ending open to interpretation or future continuation.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
