at the end of和by the end of的区别

at the end of和by the end of的区别
at the end of和by the end of的区别

at the end of和by the end of的区别
这一对短语的意思都是“在…的末了”、“在…的一端”,意义上相似,但使用场合有所不同.
一般说来,at the end of用于表示具体事物或场所的场合,它也可以用来表示比喻意.例：
The school is situated at the end of the street．
该校位于这条街的尽头.
We'll have an exam in English at the end of January．
一月底我们要参加英语考试.
They were at the end of their patience．
他们忍无可忍.
He is at the end of his wits．
他智穷才尽,束手无策.
By the end of用于表示时间的场合,往往含有“不迟于”的意味.值得注意的是,at the end of亦可用于表示时间的场合（见上面第二个例句）,但其义和by the end of有所不同.试对比下面两例：
at the end of January
一月底（指一月份的最后一天）
by the end of January
一月底之前（指一月份结束前的几天）
We are to complete the task by the end of the year．
年底之前我们必须完成此项任务.
Their communication is at an end．
他们的交往到此为止.
短语 in the end的涵义是“终于”、“最后”,其义相当于 at last.例：
I'm sure everything will turn out satisfactory in the end．
我确信,最后一切都会令人满意的.
In the end things will mend．
船到桥头自会直.