In order, duck's phases of ending a relationship are:

Duck viewed relationships as a series of events. There are four main phases, in which the perception of the people involved in the relationship changes due to strain from different factors. The phases are:

1) Intra-psychic phase

The individual does not express dissatisfaction or unhappiness with the relationship yet but feels it.

2) Dyadic phase

Discussion regarding the negative feelings is usually carried out in this phase, and anger and guilt tend to rise.

3) Social phase

The separation of the two individuals is shared socially and both choose their own friends and supports for this phase.

4) Grave-dressing phase

This phase occurs some time after the relationship has ended, and the individuals will look back thinking of all the things they did correctly, while also recollecting the negatives of the other person. Trust in relationships is rebuilt in this phase as the individual becomes ready for a new relationship.