conclude

/kənˈkluːd/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈkluːd/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈklüd/ (ame, mw)

conclude — verb

  • concludepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • concludeshe / she / it
  • concludedpast simple
  • concluding-ing form

1. to bring a speech, meeting, event, letter, or article to an end — often with a s

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to bring a speech, meeting, event, letter, or article to an end — often with a specific closing remark, action, or final section.

例句

Eleni concluded her speech with a short quote from the poet Neruda.

conclude + with + noun pattern

The board meeting concluded just before lunch on Friday afternoon.

intransitive use: [event] concludes

同義詞
  • end

    more abrupt; conclude implies a planned or natural ending

  • finish

    more general and less formal; works for any task or activity

  • close

    especially for formal events, meetings, or business; slightly less formal than conclude

  • wrap up

    informal; suggests finishing the last details quickly

反義詞
  • begin

    the starting point that conclude moves away from

  • commence

    formal opposite — a ceremony commences and later concludes

文法句型

conclude + noun (speech / meeting / event / letter)

conclude + with + noun

conclude + by + -ing verb

用法筆記

Commonly used with the preposition 'with' to introduce the final element, or 'by' plus a gerund for the final action. The intransitive form ('the meeting concluded') is more formal than using 'end' or 'finish.'

常見錯誤

❌I concluded my homework at 8pm.
✅I finished my homework at 8pm.
💡'conclude' is too formal and official for everyday personal tasks like homework.

2. to complete and settle an official agreement, contract, treaty, or business arra

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to complete and settle an official agreement, contract, treaty, or business arrangement in a final and legally binding way.

例句

The two companies concluded a trade deal worth over two million dollars.

collocation: conclude + deal / agreement / treaty

Ziad concluded the rental agreement after inspecting the apartment carefully.

同義詞
  • finalise

    British English; similar formality and meaning, especially for agreements

  • complete

    broader meaning; less specifically about business formalities

  • settle

    emphasises resolving any remaining disagreements before finalising

  • clinch

    informal; dramatic tone, often used in sports or competitive deals

反義詞
  • break off

    to end negotiations without reaching agreement

  • cancel

    to stop a planned agreement before it is concluded

文法句型

conclude + noun (deal / contract / agreement / treaty / sale)

用法筆記

Almost always transitive. The object is limited to formal or official nouns such as contract, agreement, treaty, deal, sale, or investigation. Not used for everyday tasks ('concluded my laundry'). Frequently found in business, legal, and diplomatic writing.

常見錯誤

❌We concluded the party at midnight.
✅We concluded the contract at midnight.
💡For informal social events, use 'end' or 'finish'; 'conclude' is reserved for official/formal matters.
❌She concluded a new job.
✅She concluded a contract for her new job.
💡The direct object must be the formal arrangement, not the outcome.

3. to form a definite opinion or make a judgment about something based on careful c

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to form a definite opinion or make a judgment about something based on careful consideration of the facts, evidence, or information — for example, concluding that a plan will not succeed after reviewing all the costs.

例句

The doctor concluded that the patient simply needed more rest and a better diet.

conclude + that-clause for reasoning

Talia concluded from her exam results that she needed extra help with mathematics.

conclude + from + noun + that-clause

同義詞
  • infer

    more specific — based on logical deduction from specific evidence

  • deduce

    more scientific/logical; suggests step-by-step reasoning

  • determine

    more definitive and final; often used in official or legal contexts

  • decide

    less formal and less emphasis on a reasoning process

反義詞
  • doubt

    to lack certainty, the opposite of reaching a firm conclusion

  • question

    to remain open about something rather than judging it settled

文法句型

conclude + that-clause

conclude + from + noun + that-clause

用法筆記

Typically followed by a that-clause to state the judgment, or by 'from' plus a noun to indicate the evidence used. More formal and deliberate than 'decide' — it implies a process of reasoning rather than a quick choice. Does NOT take a to-infinitive ('concluded to go').

常見錯誤

❌He concluded to stay home.
✅He concluded that it was better to stay home.
💡Sense 3 takes a that-clause, not a to-infinitive.
❌I concluded the answer was right after a quick guess.
✅I concluded the answer was right after checking the calculations.
💡'Conclude' implies careful reasoning, not a hunch or guess.