ENGLISH
REFERENCE

end up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to reach a place or situation that you did not plan or expect.

phr. v.. to arrive at a final state, condition, or location, often as the result of a series of unplanned events or decisions.


SIMPLE

We got lost and end up at a small village.

CONTEXTUAL

If you don't start saving money now, you might end up with nothing when you retire.

COMPLEX

Despite his initial ambition to become a professional musician, he ended up managing a successful software company in the suburbs.

Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
end + up + [complement]
Usage

often followed by a prepositional phrase, an adjective, or a verb ending in -ing.

Teaching tip

highlight that 'end up' focuses on the final result of a journey or process, often implying the outcome was accidental or surprising.

Pitfall

He ended up to live in Spain.He ended up living in Spain.when followed by another verb, 'end up' requires the -ing form, not the infinitive.

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