The difference between 'finish' and 'end

"Finish" and "end" have similar meanings, and are often interchangeable. There are some differences, though. According to Michael Swan*.
1. 'finish' + object:

 When we talk about getting to the end of something or completing an activity, we usually prefer 'finish'.
He never lets me finish a sentence.
She's always starting something new, but she never finishes anything.
You'll never finish that hamburger – it's too big for you.
Have you finished cleaning the floor yet?
Note that 'finish' can be followed by an –ing form [but 'end' is not followed by an –ing form].
2. 'end' + object:

 When we talk about stopping or breaking something off, we usually prefer 'end.:
I decided it was time to end our affair
It's time to end the uncertainty – the Prime Minister must speak out.
'End' cannot be followed by an –ing form:
I decided to stop seeing here (NOT …to end seeing her.)
3. 'end' + object = 'bring to a close'

When we are talking about a special way of bringing something to a close of 'shaping the end of something, we usually prefer 'end'
How do you end a letter to somebody you don't know?
She ended her concert with three songs by Schubert.
My father ended his days (=died) in a mental hospital.
4. shape:When we are referring to the shape of things, rather than to time, we normally use 'end.'
The road ended in a building site (NOT The road finished…)
Nouns that end in –s have plurals in –es…."


5. changes: End is more common when there is an important change.

I decided it was time to end our affair.
It’s time to end the uncertainty – the Prime Minister must speak out.
The Second World War ended in 1945





source:  www.english-test.net

short story

Will and Guy's Joke of the Day #119

Old ranch owner John farmed a small ranch in Montana. The Montana Wage and Hour Department claimed he was not paying proper wages to his workers and sent an agent out to interview him.
'I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them,' demanded the agent.

'Well,' replied old John, 'There's my ranch hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $600 a week plus free room and board. The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $500 a week plus free room and board. Then there's the half-wit who works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and board and I buy him a bottle of bourbon every Saturday night.'

'That's the guy I want to talk to, the half-wit,' says the agent.

'That would be me,' replied old rancher John.

* Farmer's Names

George, the farmer, had so many children that he ran out of names. So he started calling his kids after something around his farm.

It was the first day of school and the teacher asked each child their name. When he got to one of the farmer George's sons, the boy replied, 'Wagon Wheel.'

The teacher said, 'I need your real name boy, to which the lad replied, 'It's Wagon Wheel, sir....Really.'

The teacher, rather annoyed rejoined, 'All right young man, take yourself right down to the Principal's office this minute.'

The youngster pushed himself out of his chair, turned to his sister and said, 'C'mon, 'Chicken Feed', he ain't gonna believe you, either.'

* Never Felt Better - Classic Farmer Story

In a court in Tralee, deep in County Kerry, Ireland, this conversation is reported to have taken place:

Lawyer: 'At the scene of the accident, Mr O'Brien, did you tell the Garda officer that you had never felt better in your life?'

O'Brien the farmer: 'That's right, sir.'

Lawyer: 'Well then, Mr O'Brien, how is it that you are now claiming you were seriously injured when my client's car hit your cart?'

O'Brien the farmer: 'When the Garda arrived, he went over to my horse, who had a broken leg, and shot him. Then he went over to Darcy, my dog, who was badly hurt, and shot him. When he asked me how I felt, I just thought under the circumstances, it was a wise choice of words to say I've never felt better in my life