# in conclusion

CEFR B1 · Prepositional phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/in-conclusion
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

you use this at the end of a speech or a piece of writing to signal that you are finishing. It helps you summarize your main points or give a final opinion.

For teachers: a transitional phrase used to signal the final section of a discourse or text. It functions as a discourse marker to introduce a summary, a final judgment, or a closing statement.

## Examples

- In conclusion, I believe we should support this new plan.
- In conclusion, the data suggests that while the initial costs are high, the long-term benefits are significant.
- In conclusion, the evidence presented throughout this study confirms that urban green spaces are vital for public mental health.

## Pitfalls

- Not "In the conclusion, I will say..." but "In conclusion, I will say..." — the fixed phrase used as a discourse marker does not take the definite article 'the'; 'in the conclusion' refers to a physical location within a document.

## Usage notes

- usually placed at the beginning of the final paragraph or sentence, followed by a comma.
- Teaching tip: encourage students to use this in formal essays or presentations; contrast with 'to sum up' for informal contexts and 'finally' for simple lists.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.