English grammar
How it ended: end up + -ing, in the end; go so far as to + verb
Say how a process ended and stress something surprising: end up + -ing, in the end, go so far as to.
From the scene It ended up bursting
In short
End up + -ing gives an unplanned result. Go so far as to + verb stresses something extreme.
Your turn
Which one goes with the final step: in the end + past simple?
Options: he went so far as to say he was an expert · in the end I turned off the water · it ended up bursting
Show answer
the final step: in the end + past simple → in the end I turned off the water
How it works
You already know end up + -ing for a result nobody planned: it ended up bursting.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Javi tried to fix it with sticky tape... and ended up (blank) a shower.
Options: to have · had · having
Show answer
Javi tried to fix it with sticky tape... and ended up having a shower.
Javi intentó arreglarla con cinta adhesiva... y terminó dándose una ducha.
Good to know
In the end + past simple gives the final step as a separate phrase.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Javi said there was no need. He went so far as (blank) say he was a pipe expert.
Options: for · to · that
Show answer
Javi said there was no need. He went so far as to say he was a pipe expert.
Javi dijo que no hacía falta. Llegó a decir que era experto en tuberías.
Good to know
New here: go so far as to + verb stresses that someone did something surprising or extreme (he went so far as to say he was an expert = he even said that).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
She was in the shower. She went so far as to (blank) down in her bathrobe.
Options: come · coming · came
Show answer
She was in the shower. She went so far as to come down in her bathrobe.
Estaba en la ducha. Llegó a bajar en albornoz.
Good to know
It is often sarcastic, especially in a question: nobody went so far as to call anyone?
unplanned result (recap): end up + -ing it ended up bursting
Tomás
The pipe. It rattled all week... and it ended up bursting.
La tubería. Hizo ruido toda la semana... y acabó rompiéndose.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
The pipe. It rattled all week... and (blank).
Options: in the end I turned off the water · he went so far as to say he was an expert · it ended up bursting
Show answer
Tomás
The pipe. It rattled all week... and it ended up bursting.
La tubería. Hizo ruido toda la semana... y acabó rompiéndose.
the final step: in the end + past simple in the end I turned off the water
Javi
Not exactly. In the end I turned off the water for the whole street.
No exactamente. Acabé por cerrar el agua de toda la calle.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not exactly. (blank) for the whole street.
Options: He went so far as to say he was an expert · In the end I turned off the water · It ended up bursting
Show answer
Javi
Not exactly. In the end I turned off the water for the whole street.
No exactamente. Acabé por cerrar el agua de toda la calle.
something surprising: go so far as to + verb he went so far as to say he was an expert
sarcastic question nobody went so far as to call anyone?
Nuria
Nobody went so far as to call anyone?
¿Y nadie llegó a llamar a nadie?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)?
Options: In the end I turned off the water · Nobody went so far as to call anyone · It ended up bursting
Show answer
Nuria
Nobody went so far as to call anyone?
¿Y nadie llegó a llamar a nadie?
to burst (a pipe) a burst pipe
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| unplanned result (recap): end up + -ing | it ended up bursting |
|---|---|
| the final step: in the end + past simple | in the end I turned off the water |
| something surprising: go so far as to + verb | he went so far as to say he was an expert |
| sarcastic question | nobody went so far as to call anyone? |
| to burst (a pipe) | a burst pipe |
More lines from the story
- TomásJavi tried to fix it with sticky tape... and ended up having a shower.Javi intentó arreglarla con cinta adhesiva... y terminó dándose una ducha.
- TomásJavi said there was no need. He went so far as to say he was a pipe expert.Javi dijo que no hacía falta. Llegó a decir que era experto en tuberías.
- JaviShe was in the shower. She went so far as to come down in her bathrobe.Estaba en la ducha. Llegó a bajar en albornoz.