Their marriage is over

[Ella]

Test No. express/elem-8 "Prepositions", question 5

I believe that after all those arguments they agreed their marriage was over.

(a) ended
(b) finishing
(c) ending
(d) terminated

Test No. express/elem-8 "Prepositions", answer 5

I believe that after all those arguments they agreed their marriage was ended.

Correct answer: (a) ended
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Do the following sentences have the same meaning?
Their marriage ended.
Their marriage was ended.

[Torsten]

The result in both sentences is the same. There might be a difference in the way the result was brought about though: Their marriage ended simply means that it came to an end. Their marriage was ended indicates that somebody put an end to their relationship.

TOEIC listening, photographs: Checking the plans

[Eugene2114]

Is it possible to say "terminated"?
Thanks in advance.

[Alan]

Hi,

This would be an unusual use of 'terminated'. This word refers more to words like contracts, discussions, negotiations and so on rather than personal relationships.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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