Words and Phrases for Conclusion

Words and Phrases for Conclusion (B2–C1 Guide)

Clear conclusions are the backbone of good English. Whether you are writing an essay, report, article, or simply wrapping up a spoken explanation, words and phrases for conclusion help your ideas land smoothly and convincingly.

English offers a wide range of expressions to summarise, evaluate, or highlight the final point of an argument. Choosing the right one depends on your purpose, tone, and level of formality — something Cambridge examiners pay close attention to.

In this lesson, we’ll explore the most useful words and phrases for conclusion, grouped by meaning and illustrated with natural, exam-friendly examples.

Formal conclusion markers

In conclusion

Meaning: Used to signal that you are presenting your final point or summary. Very common in essays and reports.

• In conclusion, this study confirms that regular exercise plays a crucial role in preventing heart disease.
• In conclusion, the findings suggest that early intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.

To sum up / To summarise

Meaning: Used to briefly restate the main points without adding new information.

• To sum up, a balanced diet and consistent exercise are essential for long-term health.
• To summarise, the patient recovered well and was transferred to the recovery ward.

In brief / Briefly

Meaning: Used to give a short, clear overview.

• In brief, the meeting was productive and all major issues were resolved.
• Briefly, we decided to accept their offer and move forward.

Neutral and evaluative conclusions

Overall

Meaning: Taking everything into account.

• Overall, living expenses have risen considerably in the post-pandemic period.
• Overall, Sara’s exam results were strong, despite an unsteady beginning.

On the whole

Meaning: Generally; considering all aspects.

• On the whole, lighter colours make a room appear more spacious.
• On the whole, public opinion remained cautious.

By and large

Meaning: Similar to on the whole; slightly more informal.

• By and large, the project was a success.
• The board agreed that, by and large, sales targets had been met.

Everything considered

Meaning: Used when both advantages and disadvantages have been weighed.

• Everything considered, the differences between the two education systems were minimal.
• Everything considered, a laptop offers the same functionality as a desktop for most users.

End-point conclusions

In the end

Meaning: Emphasises the final outcome after a process or series of events.

• In the end, patience proved to be the key to success.
• The fans were disappointed, but in the end, the better team won.

Ultimately

Meaning: Focuses on the outcome or deeper truth.

• Ultimately, many people regret the risks they never took.
• Ultimately, poor communication results in avoidable conflict.

Finally

Meaning: Introduces the last point in a sequence.

• After weeks of negotiation, the agreement was finally achieved.
• They finally secured the funding after months of delays.

Informal or spoken conclusions

At the end of the day

Meaning: Used to highlight what truly matters. Common in spoken English; avoid overusing it in formal writing.

• At the end of the day, trust is more important than profit.
• At the end of the day, it’s a lot of money to spend on a holiday.

For the most part

Meaning: Mostly; generally.

• For the most part, scientists are highly dedicated to their research.
• For the most part, she handled the situation calmly and fairly.

Cause-and-effect conclusions

As a result

Meaning: Used to introduce a consequence or outcome.

• He repeatedly arrived late to work and, as a result, lost his job.
• As a result of ongoing conflict, street violence escalated.

Final tip for learners

In Cambridge writing tasks, strong conclusions do not repeat sentences word for word. Instead, they restate ideas using different vocabulary, show evaluation (overall, ultimately, everything considered), and signal control of register.

Mastering these concluding expressions will instantly make your writing sound more fluent, more mature, and more exam-ready.

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