For example, I have three apples. I eat them one by one and after that I want to say there are no apples anymore. Is phrase "apples are ended" correct or should I use another verb?
Add a comment
|
4 Answers
"Ended" refers to a process, whereas "finished" and "gone" can refer to objects as well. "Ended" is also rather literary.
answered Oct 24, 2011 at 15:04
The most natural way of saying it in Britsh English would be The apples are all gone.
answered Oct 23, 2011 at 19:36
'Apples are ended' doesn't sound correct because of the verb choice. I'd say 'The apples are finished' or the more obvious 'I ate all the apples'.
-
3I don't really like "the apples are finished", it makes me wonder "What were the apples doing?"– BradCCommented Oct 24, 2011 at 15:09
-
"The apples are finished" sounds just as wrong as "The apples are ended".– MarthaªCommented Oct 24, 2011 at 16:41
-
@Marthaª: not to me. "All gone" is more likely, but I find nothing wrong with "The apples are finished, but there are still some bananas". Commented Oct 26, 2011 at 11:30
I would use "the apples are finished," or possibly "the apples are no more," but that seems a bit dramatic.
answered Oct 23, 2011 at 19:27
-
"The apples are finished" sounds just as wrong as "The apples are ended". "I finished the apples", on the other hand, is perfectly fine.– MarthaªCommented Oct 24, 2011 at 16:42