Closing vs. Ending: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 9, 2023
Closing refers to the act of shutting or concluding, often used in relation to events or proceedings, while ending denotes the final part or conclusion of something, like a story or a period
Key Differences
Closing and ending, though related in connotation of conclusion, differ subtly in their application and implication. Closing is commonly used to refer to the act or process of making something shut, or concluding a proceeding or event, emphasizing the actions taken to conclude it. Ending, conversely, is more about the final part or termination point of something, focusing more on the state or result of being finished rather than the process.
In the context of events or occurrences, closing usually implies the culmination of proceedings or activities, like closing a meeting signifies the termination of discussions and dialogues. Whereas, ending refers to the final part or phase of an event or occurrence, often implying a conclusion or resolution, like the ending of a movie reveals the culmination of the plot.
Grammatically, “closing” serves as both a noun and a verb, reflecting an ongoing process or action of concluding, like in closing a deal or a door. “Ending,” primarily a noun, symbolizes the final part or conclusion of something, representing the result rather than the process, and is typically used in the context of stories, periods, or phases.
Closing is often associated with finality and can have a sense of formality, especially when referring to the conclusion of official proceedings or formal events, underscoring the procedural aspect. Ending, on the other hand, is more universal and can apply to a wide range of situations, be it the conclusion of a book, a period of time, or a series of events, highlighting the completion aspect.
To summarize, closing and ending both signify a conclusion but are distinguished by their focus on process versus result, formality versus universality, and their different grammatical functions. Careful consideration of these nuances ensures their appropriate and accurate use in various contexts.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun/Verb
Noun
Focus
Process or act of concluding.
Final part or conclusion of something.
Usage Context
Events, proceedings, actions.
Stories, periods, phases.
Associated Action
Shutting, concluding formally.
Finalizing, concluding universally.
Application
More specific and often formal.
More universal and varied.
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Closing and Ending Definitions
Closing
The end or conclusion of a term or period.
The closing of the fiscal year is a busy time for accountants.
Ending
The termination or final phase of a period.
The ending of the year is a time for reflection.
Closing
The final phase or culmination of a transaction.
The closing of the deal was celebrated with a handshake.
Ending
A point at which something ceases to exist.
The ending of the dinosaurs marked a major shift in Earth's ecosystem.
Closing
The act of shutting something, such as a door or a lid.
The closing of the gates signified the end of visiting hours.
Ending
The final part or conclusion of something.
The ending of the movie was very unexpected.
Closing
The act of concluding or finishing.
The closing of the event was marked by a spectacular fireworks display.
Ending
A conclusion or termination.
Closing
A bringing or coming to an end; a conclusion.
The closing of the case brought relief to the detective.
Ending
A concluding part; a finale
A happy ending.
Closing
The end or conclusion
The closing of a debate.
Ending
(Grammar) The final morpheme added to a word base to make an inflectional form, such as -ed in walked.
Closing
A meeting for completing a transaction, especially one at which contracts are signed transferring ownership of real estate.
Ending
A termination or conclusion.
Closing
The act by which something is closed.
Openings and closings of doors
Ending
The last part of something.
Closing
The end or conclusion of something.
The closing of a popular play
Ending
(grammar) The last morpheme of a word, added to some base to make an inflected form (such as -s in "dogs").
Closing
The final procedure in a house sale, when documents are signed and recorded.
Ending
Present participle of end
Closing
(math) In morphology, the erosion of the dilation of a set.
Ending
Termination; concluding part; result; conclusion; destruction; death.
Closing
Pertaining to the finish or ending of a series of events; occurring at the end or after all others.
I'd like to add some closing words.
The closing scene of Miller's "Death of a Salesman" cannot but evoke a feeling of deep pathos.
Ending
The final syllable or letter of a word; the part joined to the stem. See 3d Case, 5.
Closing
Present participle of close
Ending
The end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme);
I don't like words that have -ism as an ending
Closing
Final or ending; terminal; as, the closing stages of the election; the closing weeks of the year; the closing scene of the film; closing remarks. Opposite of opening.
Ending
The act of ending something;
The termination of the agreement
Closing
The act of closing something.
Ending
The point in time at which something ends;
The end of the year
The ending of warranty period
Closing
The last section of a communication.
Ending
Event whose occurrence ends something;
His death marked the ending of an era
When these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show
Closing
Termination of operations.
Ending
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
Closing
A concluding action.
Ending
A conclusion or resolution that concludes a work of literature or film.
The book had a happy ending.
Closing
The final action in a commercial transaction, especially the meeting between buyer and seller (and in some cases mortgagee), or their representatives, in a transaction for sale of real estate in which all documents are signed and all procedures carried out to complete the sale; - called also real estate closing.
Ending
The termination of a condition or a process.
The ending of the prohibition era had widespread social implications.
Closing
The act of closing something
Closing
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
Closing
Approaching a particular destination; a coming closer; a narrowing of a gap;
The ship's rapid rate of closing gave them little time to avoid a collision
Closing
Termination of operations;
They regretted the closure of the day care center
Closing
A concluding action
Closing
Final or ending;
The closing stages of the election
The closing weeks of the year
The closing scene of the film
Closing remarks
FAQs
Can closing be a noun and a verb?
Yes, closing can serve as both a noun and a verb in sentences.
Is ending primarily a noun?
Yes, ending is primarily used as a noun to denote the final part or conclusion.
Does closing refer to the act of concluding?
Yes, closing primarily refers to the act or process of concluding or finishing.
Does ending refer to the termination of existence?
Yes, ending can denote the point where something ceases to exist or be.
Is ending more about the final part of something?
Yes, ending refers to the final part or conclusion of something.
Is closing often used in the context of transactions and events?
Yes, closing is often used to signify the finalization or culmination of transactions, events, or proceedings.
Does closing imply a sense of formality?
Often, closing is associated with a sense of formality and finality, especially in official or formal contexts.
Is ending more focused on the result rather than the process?
Yes, ending is more focused on the result or final state of being concluded rather than the process of concluding.
Can ending be used universally?
Yes, ending has a more universal application, denoting the conclusion of a wide range of situations and contexts.
Can closing refer to the act of shutting something?
Yes, closing can also refer to the act of making something shut, like a door or a lid.
Can ending imply a resolution or conclusion in literature or film?
Absolutely, ending often refers to a resolution or conclusion in works of literature or film.
Can ending apply to periods and phases?
Yes, ending can denote the conclusion or final phase of periods, phases, or conditions.
Does the closing emphasize the procedural aspect of concluding?
Yes, closing often emphasizes the procedural and formal aspect of bringing something to an end.
Is the term closing more specific than ending?
Typically, closing is more specific and is often used in more formal and procedural contexts compared to ending.
Can both closing and ending imply a sense of completion?
Yes, both closing and ending can convey a sense of completion, but they differ in their focus and application.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
