Please advise. Is it "at the end" or "by the end"?

Question

--------------
We have received confirmation from the US Embassy that Mr. Andy will arrive in Bandung *at the end* of this month. Have you sent the agenda for Mr. Andy during his stay with SENADA to Mr. Jack?

Answer 1

As Froggie says, "at the end" means the last day or possibly midnight of the last day.

"By the end" means, prior to the end which could even be the second day of the month if the promise were made early enough.

That is one of the nuances of English, especially American English, that is being lost.

My favorite example is:

You can park;
At the side of the road, you're on the pavement,
On the side of the road, you're on the verge or shoulder.
Along the side of the road, you're straddling the road edge.

The distinctions are subtle and some would say unnecessary but I thing that's what made the language and it's achievments great.

Answer 2

At the end would be taken as meaning just that - at the end
By the end means that it could happen at any time upto the end.

eg. I plan to have it done by the end of the month. (meaning I will do when I can )
I will do it at the end of the month. (meaning it will definately be done in the last couple of days of the month.)


Hope that helps

Answer 3

If you say 'by the end' it means any time up to the end of the month.
If you say 'at the end' then you are specifying that he will arrive at the end of the month and not before or after.

Answer 4

"AT the end" means he will arrive AT the end...as in the last day

"BY the end" means he could arrive anytime of the month, but for sure, it would be before the month is over

Answer 5

it is at the end of something.

but by the end works in things such as by the end of this answer i hope you arent still confused.

I know...it is difficult.

Answer 6

you could use either one. However, I prefer "by the end", it just sounds better.