end vs ending (That was a dull end/ending to such an exciting episode.)

[Daemon99]

Can someone please tell me which of the following sentences is correct?

1) That was a dull end to such an exciting episode.
2) That was a dull ending to such an exciting episode.
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Non-native speaker of English
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I intend to live forever - so far, so good.

[Jamie (K)]

I would prefer 2, but 1 is not wrong. Keep in mind that we say "happy ending", and not "happy end" as people in some countries mistakenly say.

[HamburgEnglish]

"end" is a direct reference to the end of something either physical or non physical.
The book had a happy end. ??? No No!! The last words or letters typed in the book were not smiling! and the actual end of the book only allows it to stand up on a shelf.

"ending" refers to the 'action' of ending something and the content of the last part of something.
Therefore for the book, it was a happy ending. Meaning the story content, result was a happy one.

Rob
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[HamburgEnglish]

Hey Jamie, you know what a happy end is in Wales??? LOL