Using Articles: "In the end" vs. "In an end"

[Elsidora]

Test No. incompl/elem-8 "Articles", question 2

In ......... end we decided not to go to the cinema but to watch television.

(a) the
(b) this
(c) an

Test No. incompl/elem-8 "Articles", answer 2

In the end we decided not to go to the cinema but to watch television.

Correct answer: (a) the

Your answer was: incorrect
In an end we decided not to go to the cinema but to watch television.
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why I have to use the in this question?

Elsidora

[Torsten]

Hello,

As you can see a film can have only one end - just 'the' end. In the end means 'finally', 'at last'.

TOEIC listening, question-response: Which hand do you write with?

[Fooz]

[Josazapr]

Hello, I´m confused because, I was always told we should say "At the end" not "in the end". Woul you mind explaning me, why is this? Thanks for your help.
José Saúl.

[Alan]

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Hi Jose,

There are two expressions 'in the end' and 'at the end'. 'In the end' is a set expression that can stand alone and means 'finally' and it is in that sense that it's used in the test sentence. 'At the end' is a phrase that is usually followed by the preposition 'of' in connection with time and place as in: At the end of the day (when the day comes to an end = night time) At the end of the street (the last part of the street).

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Meltaif]

Hello Dear Alan,

I believe there is a computer mistake in this test, because I chose the correct answer which is "an" but in the result it gives me the wrong answer which is "the".

Thank you

Meltaif

[Torsten]

No Meltaif,

The correct answer is 'in the end' not 'in an end' you chose the wrong answer. Please look at this and try again:

[Alan]

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Hi,

As Torsten has said, the correct expression is 'In the end'. 'In an end' would mean you were referring to one end of something and the expression 'in the end' suggests 'finally'.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Meltaif]

[Mahsash]

Hello

I suppose , I couldn't get the expresion" In an end" clearly.
could I have some examples on it?

Many thanks

[Alan]

[Vikashupadhyay]

i have a confusion in " you are better than i or u r better than me please suggest whcich one is correct

[Alan]

Hi,

Let's rewrite that:

I am confused about 'you are better than I or you are better than me'. Both can be used. 'Than I' is short for 'than I am'. 'Than me' is also used if you believe that 'than' is a preposition and the following pronoun has to be an object (me).

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[Moreta]

please give me some examples for the end and an end

[Alan]

Hi,

Some examples: Don't tell me what happens in the book I am reading because I haven't got to the end (the last page) yet.

They had a very long discussion and nothing was achieved but they decided to stop arguing and put an end to (finish) their argument.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Make or Do?