terminate + object
Ending something officially
Use terminate directly with an object such as contract, agreement, or employment.
The company terminated his employment.
How to use terminate with prepositions
Terminate is often used without a preposition or with in to describe an ending result. By and at usually introduce separate time or place details.
Quick answer
Common patterns with terminate
Use terminate in when an action ends with a particular result. Use terminate without a preposition for ending a contract, process, or agreement. By and at usually add time or location information rather than completing the verb.
The negotiations terminated in failure.
They terminated the contract.
The train service terminated at the central station.
They terminated the contract.
The train service terminated at the central station.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
terminate in + result
Showing the final outcome
Use terminate in when something ends with a particular result.
The dispute terminated in a compromise.
terminate at + place
Showing where something ends
At can introduce a location where a route, service, or event ends.
The bus line terminated at the airport.
terminate by + time
Adding a deadline or time phrase
By usually introduces a separate time expression, not a fixed complement of terminate.
The lease must be terminated by 30 June.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
terminate in + result
The discussion terminated in confusion.
shows the final outcome
terminate at + place
The railway terminates at the harbour.
shows the endpoint location
terminate by + time
The agreement will terminate by midnight.
shows a deadline or latest time
terminate + object
They terminated the partnership.
directly end something
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using in for a place
Use at for a specific endpoint location.
✕ The route terminates in the station. ✓ The route terminates at the station.Adding an unnecessary preposition
Terminate often takes a direct object.
✕ They terminated with the contract. ✓ They terminated the contract.Confusing result and location
Use in for outcomes, not physical endpoints.
✕ The service terminated in the airport. ✓ The service terminated at the airport.Using by as a result marker
By usually gives a deadline, not an ending result.
✕ The conflict terminated by peace. ✓ The conflict terminated in peace.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The negotiations terminated ___ a deadlock.
2. The train service terminates ___ Central Station.
3. They decided to ___ the agreement immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Is terminate in correct?
Yes. It is used for results or outcomes, such as terminate in failure.
Can terminate be used with at?
Yes. At is common for physical endpoints like stations or borders.
Do I need a preposition after terminate?
Not always. Many sentences use terminate directly with an object.
Related preposition guides
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