In conclusion

You almost always place this phrase at the very beginning of your final sentence or paragraph. It is usually followed by a comma. For example: In conclusion, we must act now. It acts as a transition. It bridges your detailed evidence to your final verdict. Keep it simple and direct. Don't add extra words like 'In a final conclusion.' Just the two words will do the trick.

This is your best friend for academic essays. If you are writing a university paper, use it to start your last paragraph. It is also perfect for business presentations. When you see your audience checking their watches, say in conclusion to grab their attention one last time. It works well in formal emails when you have listed several requests. It tells the reader, 'Here is the one thing I want you to remember.'

Do not use this during a casual chat over pizza. If you say in conclusion, I think the pepperoni was better to a friend, they might think you are giving a lecture. It is too stiff for a quick text message unless you are being funny. Avoid using it in the middle of a story. It only belongs at the very end. If you use it too early, your audience will get confused when you keep talking for another ten minutes.

Western education systems love structure. We are taught from a young age to have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. This phrase is a pillar of that 'three-act' structure. It comes from the Latin word 'conclusio,' which means a closing or a finishing. In English-speaking cultures, being clear and organized is seen as a sign of respect for the listener's time. Using this phrase shows you are a disciplined thinker.

If you want to sound a bit less like a textbook, try to sum up. In a very formal setting, like a courtroom or a high-level board meeting, you might hear in closing. If you are speaking to friends but want to be clear, you can say basically. For a more modern feel in a blog post, people often use the bottom line is. Each one does the same job but changes the 'outfit' of the sentence.