conclusive
Providing a final or ultimate answer that settles a dispute or uncertainty. It describes evidence, arguments, or results that are so strong they leave no room for further doubt or questioning.
Examples
3 of 5The DNA results provided conclusive evidence of the suspect's presence at the scene.
The DNA results provided conclusive evidence of the suspect's presence at the scene.
The committee reached a conclusive decision regarding the proposed budget cuts.
The committee reached a conclusive decision regarding the proposed budget cuts.
It's not conclusive yet, but I think we’re going to have to cancel the picnic because of the rain.
It's not conclusive yet, but I think we’re going to have to cancel the picnic because of the rain.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Conclusion'. If evidence is 'conclusive', it allows you to jump straight to the 'conclusion' because it is 100% clear.
Quick Quiz
The investigation was closed because the investigators found ___ proof of the suspect's innocence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: conclusive
Examples
The DNA results provided conclusive evidence of the suspect's presence at the scene.
everydayThe DNA results provided conclusive evidence of the suspect's presence at the scene.
The committee reached a conclusive decision regarding the proposed budget cuts.
formalThe committee reached a conclusive decision regarding the proposed budget cuts.
It's not conclusive yet, but I think we’re going to have to cancel the picnic because of the rain.
informalIt's not conclusive yet, but I think we’re going to have to cancel the picnic because of the rain.
While the initial findings are promising, the study lacks the conclusive data necessary to prove the hypothesis.
academicWhile the initial findings are promising, the study lacks the conclusive data necessary to prove the hypothesis.
The market analysis gave us a conclusive indication that we should expand into the European sector.
businessThe market analysis gave us a conclusive indication that we should expand into the European sector.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
far from conclusive
far from conclusive
reach a conclusive result
reach a conclusive result
conclusive proof of concept
conclusive proof of concept
Often Confused With
Concluding refers to the final part of something (e.g., concluding remarks), while conclusive refers to something that settles a matter or proves a point (e.g., conclusive evidence).
Decisive often refers to a person's ability to make quick decisions or a specific event that settles a battle, whereas conclusive is almost always used for data, evidence, or logic.
Usage Notes
Conclusive is most frequently paired with nouns like 'evidence', 'proof', or 'test'. It is often used in the negative form 'inconclusive' to indicate that research or investigations did not yield a clear answer.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'concluded' as an adjective when they mean 'conclusive'. For example, saying 'the concluded evidence' instead of 'the conclusive evidence'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Conclusion'. If evidence is 'conclusive', it allows you to jump straight to the 'conclusion' because it is 100% clear.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'conclusivus', from the verb 'concludere', meaning 'to shut up, enclose, or end'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
This word is vital in the legal and scientific cultures of English-speaking countries, where the 'burden of proof' requires conclusive findings to change laws or validate theories.
Quick Quiz
The investigation was closed because the investigators found ___ proof of the suspect's innocence.
Correct!
The correct answer is: conclusive
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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