What is conclusion? Pronunciation and usage in English

conclusion means . Learn how to pronounce and use conclusion through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of conclusion

conclusionnoun

/kənˈkluːʒn/
Definition & pronunciation of conclusion

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "conclusion" in English. It can be tricky because of the variations! Here's a breakdown, with a few options:

Most Common & Generally Accepted Pronunciation:

  • /ˈkənˌkluːʒən/ (This is the most frequently used pronunciation, especially in American English)

    • ˈkən: Sounds like "con" as in "connect"
    • ˌkluː: Sounds like "kloo" - long "oo" sound like in "moon"
    • ʒən: Sounds like "zhun" – This is the tricky part! It's a voiced sh sound, similar to the "s" in "measure" or the "g" in "vision". It's not a hard "j" sound.

Alternative Pronunciation (More Common in British English):

  • /ˈkənˌkluzən/ (This is also widely understood and used, particularly in the UK)

    • ˈkən: Same as above - "con"
    • ˌkluz: Sounds like "kluz" – A short “u” sound like in “put”
    • ən: Sounds like "un" as in “under”.

Tips for Pronouncing the "zhun" sound (in the first pronunciation):

  • Think "measure" or "vision": This is the closest sound.
  • Practice with words that have the same sound: "judge," "garage," "beige"

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (or what dialect of English are you learning)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This helps me narrow down the most likely pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word conclusion in English

Let's break down how to use the word "conclusion" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances. Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (The Main Use - A Final Result)

  • Definition: A conclusion is a final decision or judgment reached after consideration. It's what you arrive at after examining evidence, facts, or arguments.

  • Examples:

    • "After reviewing all the evidence, the jury reached a conclusion that the defendant was guilty." (A final judgment)
    • "My conclusion is that the project needs more funding." (A decision based on an analysis)
    • "The scientist’s conclusion stated that the new drug was effective.” (A formal statement of findings)
    • "We arrived at the conclusion that the problem was a simple misunderstanding."

2. As a Verb (To Reach a Final Decision/Judgment)

  • Definition: To conclude means to arrive at a final decision or judgment, often after thinking about something carefully.

  • Examples:

    • "I concluded that I needed to rest after the long hike." (Reached a decision)
    • "The meeting concluded with a vote of approval." (Ended with a decision)
    • "She concluded her speech with a powerful call to action." (Finished something with a final statement)
    • "Let’s conclude this discussion before the meeting starts.” (Let’s finish this.)

3. Within Writing – Sections of a Text

  • Definition: In academic writing, reports, and essays, “conclusion” often refers to a specific section at the end of the piece. This section summarizes the main points and restates the argument.

  • Examples:

    • "The conclusion of the report highlighted the key findings and recommendations." (Referring to a section in a document)
    • "In the conclusion, the author argued that…” (Describing content within a conclusion section)

Key Differences & How to Tell the Difference:

Feature Conclusion (Noun) Conclusion (Verb)
Role The final result, outcome The act of arriving at that result
Example “The conclusion of the study was surprising.” “Let’s conclude this meeting now.”

Tips for Using "Conclusion" Effectively:

  • Be Clear: Make sure it's clear whether you're talking about the result (noun) or the process of reaching that result (verb).
  • Context is Key: The surrounding words will usually make it obvious which meaning is intended.
  • Transitions: Words like "therefore," "as a result," "in summary," and "to conclude" can help signal a conclusion.

Resources for Further Learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., academic writing, business reports)?
  • Explain how to write a strong conclusion paragraph?

Synonyms for the word conclusion

Idioms of the word conclusion

a foregone conclusion
if you say that something is a foregone conclusion, you mean that it is a result that is certain to happen
  • The outcome of the vote is a foregone conclusion.
  • The result of the game was a foregone conclusion.
jump/leap to conclusions | jump/leap to the conclusion that…
to make a decision about somebody/something too quickly, before you know or have thought about all the facts
  • There I go again—jumping to conclusions.

Practice with vocabulary conclusion

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After reviewing all the data, the research team was able to draw a clear _____ about the effectiveness of the new drug.
  2. The chairman's opening remarks set the stage for the discussion, and we look forward to reaching a mutually agreeable _____ by the end of the meeting.
  3. In the final paragraph, the author provides a brief _____ of the main points discussed throughout the chapter.
  4. The unexpected _____ of the negotiations led to significant changes in the company's expansion plans.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms best describes a judgment or decision reached by reasoning after considering all the facts? a) hypothesis b) conjecture c) conclusion d) intuition

  2. In an academic paper, which sections are typically used to summarize the main findings and provide final interpretations or insights based on the evidence presented? (Select all that apply) a) bibliography b) methodology c) conclusion d) discussion e) summary

  3. After reviewing all the evidence, what is the final decision or judgment that a legal team or panel typically reaches? (Select all that apply) a) verdict b) conclusion c) finding d) recommendation

  4. Which word refers to something that is suggested or hinted at, but not directly stated? a) premise b) implication c) assertion d) exposition

  5. What is the final result or effect of a situation, process, or series of events? a) introduction b) methodology c) outcome d) analysis

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee decided after much deliberation that the project should proceed. (Rewrite using "conclusion" or a related word form.)
  2. Based on the gathered evidence, we can infer that the suspect was not at the scene. (Rewrite using "conclusion" or a related word form.)
  3. The report summarized all the key findings of the investigation. (Rewrite without using "conclusion".)

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. conclusion
  2. conclusion
  3. summary
  4. outcome

Exercise 2:

  1. c) conclusion
  2. c) conclusion, d) discussion, e) summary
  3. a) verdict, b) conclusion, c) finding
  4. b) implication
  5. c) outcome

Exercise 3:

  1. The committee reached the conclusion after much deliberation that the project should proceed.
  2. Based on the gathered evidence, we can draw the conclusion that the suspect was not at the scene.
  3. The report provided an overview of all the key findings of the investigation.

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