conclude

There are a couple different ways to use the word "conclude," but it’s generally used to signify the end of something.

1. To conclude is to form a final opinion:

• After spending several weeks with the software, we concluded that it would not be a good fit for our company.
• Several experts have concluded that the artwork is not real–it’s fake.
• What have you concluded about the situation?

2. To conclude is also to finish something:

• The police are concluding their investigation.
• The outdoor event concluded with a fireworks display.
• The band concluded its set with its most famous song.
• After concluding their mission, the troops went home.

The word "conclusion" is a noun:

• The police brought their investigation to a successful conclusion.
• The conclusion of the ceremony included a song.
• This movie is really long, but I think this is the conclusion coming up.

English teachers often use the word "conclude" when talking about student writing:

• You’re concluding paragraph needs more development.
• I like the way you conclude your essay with a quotation.
• The conclusion for your essay seems incomplete with just this one short sentence.

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Date of publication: October 3, 2016