"End" is to stop occurring (event or situation); "finish" is to complete a task all the way through.
To come to a conclusion. Used for events, films, relationships, periods of time.
The movie ends at 10pm. We have time for dinner after.
La pelicula termina a las 10pm. Tenemos tiempo para cenar despues.
Their relationship ended after five years together.
Su relacion termino despues de cinco anos juntos.
The school year ends in June in this country.
El ano escolar termina en junio en este pais.
To complete something through to the end. Used for tasks, work, meals — things one actively does.
I will call you when I finish work. Maybe around 6pm.
Te llamare cuando termine el trabajo. Quizas alrededor de las 6pm.
Have you finished your homework? Dinner is ready.
¿Ya terminaste la tarea? La cena esta lista.
She finished the entire pizza by herself.
Ella se termino la pizza entera sola.
Common mistake
Saying "I ended my homework" — wrong. Homework does not just stop; you complete it: "I finished my homework." The reverse: "The movie finished at 10pm" sounds odd — the movie does not complete a task, it simply reaches its conclusion: "The movie ended at 10pm." Key: is there an active agent completing something? "Finish". Does something simply cease? "End".
Trick to remember it
Agent question: is someone actively completing something? "Finish". Does something simply reach its conclusion without anyone "completing" it? "End". Exceptions where both work: "She ended / finished her speech" — the speech can have an end (end) or she can complete it (finish).
Quick rule
End = conclude / stop (event or situation). Finish = complete / finalize (active task).
Did you know?
In football, journalists say "the match ended 2-1" but players say "we finished the season strong". An event has an "end"; a team "finishes" a season. The difference between observing (end) and actively participating (finish) is encoded in the choice of verb.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
What time does the concert _____? I need to arrange a taxi.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She has not _____ reading the report. Give her ten more minutes.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
End = conclude / stop (event or situation). Finish = complete / finalize (active task).
Saying "I ended my homework" — wrong. Homework does not just stop; you complete it: "I finished my homework." The reverse: "The movie finished at 10pm" sounds odd — the movie does not complete a task, it simply reaches its conclusion: "The movie ended at 10pm." Key: is there an active agent completing something? "Finish". Does something simply cease? "End".
Agent question: is someone actively completing something? "Finish". Does something simply reach its conclusion without anyone "completing" it? "End". Exceptions where both work: "She ended / finished her speech" — the speech can have an end (end) or she can complete it (finish).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy