at/in the end

• ....at the end of the story the main character dies.


• ....in the end the main character dies.

If you want to use "at the end" a preposition+noun must come after it;but you use "in the end" nothing follows it.

Hi,

What is the difference between 'at the end......' and 'in the end........'?

Here are a couple of brief comments.

'At the end' means when the end was reached. I went to the movies. At the end (of the movie), I got up and went home.

"At the end" means when something's finished. e.g. At the end of the story, I had no choice but to cry.

"In the end" has the meaning of "finally". e.g. In the end, it doesn't even matter. (I put my trust, in you, push as far as i can go, lalalalalalalalalalalala~~~) love this song

Hi Clive,

Along this line of discussion, I am curious to learn more about 'at the beginning' and 'in the beginning'. Would you please explain the differences between them?

It is quite simple if you just simply understand the below:

"in the beginning" / "in the end" are time expressions and are complete;
"at the beginning" / "at the end" must be followed by "of" and say what
"At the beginning/end of the day/film/holiday/street" etc.

Quite informative rules, Kuljc03. Thanks.