In the end = finally, eventually

• We tried all the shops but in the end we went home.
• In the end, she decided just to take this job.
• I thought about it for a long time and in the end I bought a flat.

At the end (of) = in the last part of something

• At the end of the book, the couple get married.
• At the end of the film, there’s a huge explosion.
• At the end of the day, we all went to sleep.

Let’s practise! Put in ‘at’ or ‘in’.

1. We walked around a lot but _____ the end, we stopped at a café. 
2. _____ the end of the film, we don’t know what happened. 
3. I was so sorry to leave _____the end of our holiday. 
4. She thought about going to the party but, _____ the end, she went to bed. 
5. _____ the end of the class, the teacher gave us homework.