conclude
/kənˈkluːd/- 1.
To bring something to an end in a deliberate, final way. This sense is common in formal or professional settings — meetings, speeches, reports, and events.
- She concluded her presentation with a strong summary.
- The conference concluded on Friday afternoon.
- He concluded the letter by thanking the committee.
- 2.
To decide or believe something after looking at facts, evidence, or careful thought. This is the academic sense — forming a judgment based on reasoning.
- The scientists concluded that the results were significant.
- After reviewing the data, she concluded the plan would work.
- We concluded that the delay was caused by poor planning.
- 3.
To officially agree on or complete a formal arrangement, such as a deal, treaty, or agreement.
- The two companies concluded a major trade agreement.
- Both sides concluded negotiations after three days.
Adinary Nuance
Conclude sits in a cluster of near-neighbors — end, finish, determine, deduce, and infer — but it has a distinctly formal, deliberate tone that separates it from the rest. You would "finish" a sandwich or "end" a call, but you "conclude" a meeting, a report, or a speech — the word signals an intentional, well-structured close. In its "form a judgment" sense, conclude is broader than deduce (which implies strict logical steps) and infer (which means reading something not directly stated); you can conclude after any type of careful thinking. For IELTS and academic writing, conclude is the preferred choice over figure out or think; it signals analytical reasoning and lifts the register of your writing immediately.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Kết luận / kết thúc
- Spanish
- concluir
- Chinese
- 得出结论
- Japanese
- 結論づける
- Korean
- 결론을 내리다
Etymology
From Latin "concludere," meaning "to shut up" or "to bring to a close," formed from "con-" (together) and "claudere" (to close). It entered English in the late 14th century and has kept its formal, deliberate character ever since.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'conclude' formal or informal?
- It is formal. In everyday speech, people usually say 'end,' 'finish,' or 'wrap up.' Use 'conclude' in essays, reports, presentations, and professional writing — it immediately lifts the register.
- What is the difference between 'conclude' and 'infer'?
- 'Conclude' means you reached a judgment after thinking through evidence or reasoning. 'Infer' is more specific — it means you read something that was not directly stated. All inferring can lead to concluding, but not all concluding involves inferring.
- Can I use 'conclude' in an IELTS essay?
- Yes, and it is highly recommended. 'It can be concluded that...' or 'The evidence leads us to conclude that...' are strong academic phrases that show analytical thinking — exactly what IELTS examiners look for.
- What is the difference between 'conclude' and 'deduce'?
- 'Deduce' is used when you follow a strict logical chain — almost like a detective or mathematician. 'Conclude' is broader and more common; you can conclude something after any careful analysis, not just step-by-step logic.