In conclusion means to conclude, summing up. It opens the last paragraph of an essay or report and brings a talk to an end. It promises a summary, not a new idea.
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In conclusion, + summary (final paragraph only); In conclusion, I believe/would argue that + clause
- In conclusion, the advantages of learning a second language clearly outweigh the difficulties.
- In conclusion, I believe governments should spend more on public transport than on new roads.
- In conclusion, I'd like to thank the whole team for their hard work this year.
What changed
First versionThe factory closed and hundreds of people lost their jobs. In conclusion, many families left the town.
RevisionThe factory closed and hundreds of people lost their jobs. As a result, many families left the town.
In conclusion is easy to mistake for a way of saying “as a result”, so it sometimes ends up in the middle of a text. But in conclusion only ends a text and opens the final paragraph. To show the result of a specific cause, use as a result: people lost their jobs, and because of that, families left the town.
To conclude means the same and also works for the last paragraph. In a written essay, In conclusion is clear and appropriate, and there is no need to swap it for something fancier. In conversation, though, including the speaking part of an exam, it sounds like a formal report: So, overall… or All in all, I'd say… is more natural.
Your turn
This is the last paragraph of an essay about ways of studying: ___, both online and classroom courses have clear advantages, and the right choice depends on the student.
Show the answer
In conclusion — The sentence opens the last paragraph and sums up both sides of the essay, so the answer is In conclusion. As a result introduces the result of a specific cause from the previous sentence, but here we have an overall conclusion, not a result.
Write the final sentence of an essay on the topic “Should cars be banned from city centres?” Start with In conclusion and clearly state your position.
In conclusion, I believe cars should be banned from city centres at weekends, but not on weekdays, when many people need them for work.
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