“End” vs. “Finish”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “end” and “finish”

  • "Finish" (verb) means to complete something, while "end" (verb) means to bring stoppage to something, whether it is complete or not.
  • As nouns, both "end" and "finish" mean the final part of something, but "end" can also mean the furthest point of something in terms of distance, like the end house or candle ends.
  • "End" is an indicator of the conclusion of something with no more continuation; "finish" is usually associated with putting the final touches on a completed task.
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What is the definition of “end” and “finish”?

End
  • The point in time or space at which something stops or ceases to exist.
  • It can refer to the last part or extremity of something.
  • It can also suggest either termination or conclusion.
Finish
  • Complete a particular activity or task.
  • Put the final touches on something in order to complete it.
  • To achieve something successfully.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“End” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
End
5,960,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. As we approached the end of the street, we noticed a beautiful park on the left.
  2. It's always sad when a good movie comes to an end.
  3. Let's make this night unforgettable until the end.
Finish
993,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She knew she had to finish the project before the deadline.
  2. After hours of hard work, they finally managed to finish building the treehouse.
  3. Don't start something if you're not going to finish it.
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