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My contract expires at the end of May.

My contract ends at the end of May.

Which one between expires and ends is more suitable here?
Another question plz: which tense is more suitable for the sentence, the present or the future?

Jasper
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din
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    Both are fine. Historically, *expires* has always been more common, but you might like to note that *ends* is gaining ground. My guess is the simpler version will probably dominate eventually, so I suggest you take the easy route and learn to use the simpler and more obviously literal usage right from the get-go (but recognise the other). – FumbleFingers Jan 13 '17 at 21:14
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    (For the tense issue, have a look at Meaning of the present tense in this context?) – FumbleFingers Jan 13 '17 at 21:16
  • I suppose that by simpler version you mean "ends" (?). The thing I find a bit odd with the usage of "ends" here is the other "end" that folllows the first one. – din Jan 13 '17 at 21:26
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    Because contract ends** is a verb, whereas *end of May* is a noun, native speakers wouldn't normally register anything odd there. Obviously the two words are "etymologically connected", but people don't think about that while speaking - they're effectively just a couple of homophones. – FumbleFingers Jan 14 '17 at 14:34

1 Answers1

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Both are perfectly acceptable in this context. "Expires" can sound a little more official since it's has a narrower definition than "end", but it's not a big deal.

It's also fine to use either the present or future tense. Both are common.

My contract expires at the end of May.

My contract will expire at the end of May.

Another possibility:

My contract is up at the end of May.

My contract will be up at the end of May.

Andrew
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