100 Mistakes #18 - In The End, Eventually, At Last, Finally

If English is not your first language, you probably use "finally" more often than you should. It's not that we don't use it, we do! Just not as often as you do. Here's why...

in the end = how a situation is resolved or concluded; the important thing when all things are considered

eventually = after a long time

(not used with perfect tenses)

at last! = An exclamation showing relief or excitement after waiting a long time

(usually used with perfect or present tenses)

finally = after a series of incidents or attempts

In some situations, more than one is possible. In others, only one. It depends on whether you want to comment on the time taken, the number of attempts or the way the situation is concluded.

Situation 1: your journey to England was delayed by bad weather.

In the end, I arrived at my hotel.
(the conclusion of the story)

Eventually, I arrived at my hotel.
(after a long time)

At last, I've arrived at my hotel!
(it has taken a long time)
Finally, I arrived at my hotel.
(after a series of incidents: my train was delayed, my bus broke down, the taxi driver got lost, the road was flooded...)

Situation 2: Your brother was staying at your house for a week and you told him not to touch your expensive vase because it was very fragile. He was very careful not go near the vase all week.

In the end, the neighbour's dog knocked it over and it smashed into pieces.
(the conclusion of the story)

Eventually, the neighbour's dog knocked it over and it smashed into pieces.
At last, the neighbour's dog knocked it over and it smashed into pieces.
Finally, the neighbour's dog knocked it over and it smashed into pieces.

Situation 3: Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2.

In the end, Barcelona beat Real.
(the result of the match)

Eventually, Barcelona beat Real.
(it took a long time to beat Real, perhaps several seasons)

At last, Barcelona have beaten Real!
(it has taken a long time to beat Real, perhaps several seasons)

Finally, Barcelona have beaten Real!
(it has taken a lot of attempts to beat Real)

Note that "at the end" is a simple time expression. So I can say:

At the end of the 90 minutes, Ronaldo scored with a penalty to pull one back for Real. But in the end, it was Barcelona who went home with all three points.