A conclusion closes a discussion rather than opening it
At the end of an essay, arguments have usually been presented before the conclusion is stated. However, On balance can also open a sentence or paragraph with an overall assessment that the writer explains afterwards. It signals a considered judgement, not a grammatical requirement always to follow a list of evidence.
A conclusion draws on evidence presented earlier. A reader cannot check a new fact or figure introduced at the end against the preceding text, so new evidence belongs in the body. The conclusion can state what follows from the material, but should not introduce new grounds for it.
Scooters cut short car journeys, yet they clutter pavements. On balance, a licensed scheme with fixed parking zones is the sensible option.
Scooters cut short car journeys, yet they clutter pavements. On balance, a licensed scheme with fixed parking zones is the sensible option.
The benefit and drawback are considered first, and the frame then introduces the closing judgement.
The canteen menu is cheaper than packed lunches, and pupils eat more vegetables. Taking everything into account, the change has been a success.
The canteen menu is cheaper than packed lunches, and pupils eat more vegetables. Taking everything into account, the change has been a success.
The judgement rests on the two stated facts and adds nothing new.
Frames for a balanced judgement
On balance, all things considered, taking everything into account and weighing everything up introduce an overall assessment based on different considerations. On the whole means generally and does not necessarily imply an explicit list of pros and cons. At the beginning of a sentence, these expressions are usually followed by a comma.
The nuances are small. On balance emphasises that one side outweighs the other; All things considered and Taking everything into account emphasise that many factors have been considered; On the whole sounds a little lighter and suits a general assessment without a sharp decision. In many written contexts, they can replace one another.
concluding expression, + subject + predicate stating the conclusion
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
Opening hours would be longer, but staffing costs would rise. On balance, the extra hours are justified.
Opening hours would be longer, but staffing costs would rise. On balance, the extra hours are justified.
The frame introduces a judgement after contrasting considerations.
All things considered, a shared parking permit is fairer than a per-vehicle fee.
All things considered, a shared parking permit is fairer than a per-vehicle fee.
The frame emphasises that several factors have been considered.
On the whole, the experiment gave encouraging results.
On the whole, the experiment gave encouraging results.
A lighter frame for an overall assessment.
Summary frames: restating rather than evaluating
In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, In summary, In sum, To summarise (American To summarize) and Overall briefly return the reader to what has been said. A summary may simply repeat the main points without evaluating them; a judgement decides what follows from them. The two often combine: first a summary, then a judgement.
In conclusion adds no substance if nothing meaningful follows it. It works when followed by a real summary or judgement, rather than merely announcing that the text is ending.
summary expression, + main points or overall assessment
To sum up, the survey covered two campuses, three faculties and almost nine hundred students.
To sum up, the survey covered two campuses, three faculties and almost nine hundred students.
A purely descriptive summary without evaluation.
In summary, the new rota lowers costs, shortens handovers and is popular with night staff.
In summary, the new rota lowers costs, shortens handovers and is popular with night staff.
Three points are repeated in a parallel structure.
In conclusion, the evidence supports a phased introduction of the scheme.
In conclusion, the evidence supports a phased introduction of the scheme.
A concluding frame followed by a judgement.
Form: fixed wording, commas and position
The frames have fixed wording: all things considered uses the participle considered, not considering; taking everything into account uses into; to sum up includes up. Getting one word wrong breaks the expression. After an initial frame, put a comma and a complete clause, without that: unlike I would argue that, a summary frame does not introduce a subordinate clause.
On balance can also occur in the middle or at the end of a sentence, set off by commas. Initial position is the most common and easiest for the reader.
On balance, + sentence; or: subject + predicate with parenthetical on balance; or: sentence, on balance.
- subject / S —
- The grammatical subject: who or what the clause is about; the verb agrees with it. In The book was written, the book is the subject, although someone else does the action.
The proposal is, on balance, fairer than the current system.
The proposal is, on balance, fairer than the current system.
The frame occurs inside the sentence between commas.
The proposal is fairer than the current system, on balance.
The proposal is fairer than the current system, on balance.
The frame comes at the end, preceded by a comma.
Taking everything into account, the committee chose the cheaper site.
Taking everything into account, the committee chose the cheaper site.
Initial position, with a comma after the frame.
The strength of a conclusion: balanced, not timid
A judgement is a judgement, not proof. At B2, a writer calibrates its strength with appears to, seems, suggests that, would or may. Categorical proves, undoubtedly or without question is rarely justified when the evidence is mixed. Caution does not mean refusing to take a position: a balanced judgement still favours a view.
A condition with provided that or a concession with although can qualify the conclusion. Provided that means “on condition that”, while although introduces a concession; these are different relationships and should not be confused.
On balance, + complete clause with appears / seems / would or another appropriate predicate
- clause —
- A construction with a verb, often with its own subject: when I arrived. A non-finite clause may leave the subject unspoken: to get home.
On balance, the data suggest that shorter lectures hold attention better.
On balance, the data suggest that shorter lectures hold attention better.
The cautious verb suggest is used.
All things considered, the new rota seems fairer, although it is too early to be certain.
All things considered, the new rota seems fairer, although it is too early to be certain.
Although introduces a qualification: the writer favours the assessment but is not yet fully certain.
This proves beyond doubt that the rota is perfect.
This proves beyond doubt that the rota is perfect.
Grammatical, but excessively categorical for mixed evidence.
Register: conversational endings
So basically, At the end of the day, To cut a long story short and Anyway are natural in conversation. They are not grammar errors. In an academic essay, report or formal letter, however, they sound conversational and are better replaced by a balanced-judgement or summary frame.
The same applies to evaluative words such as great or nightmare: a formal judgement relies on neutral vocabulary and evidence rather than emotion.
At the end of the day, people just want cheaper bus tickets.
At the end of the day, people just want cheaper bus tickets.
A conversational register, entirely appropriate in spoken discussion.
On balance, the evidence indicates that passengers value lower fares above faster journeys.
On balance, the evidence indicates that passengers value lower fares above faster journeys.
A formal, evidence-based statement. It is more specific than the previous example because it adds a comparison between price and journey speed.
No new evidence at the end
A good conclusion refers back to earlier material: it restates the same facts in different words and shows what follows from them. It does not open a new topic or introduce fresh figures. A new idea at the end leaves questions unanswered and weakens the judgement.
A conclusion sometimes goes beyond the text to discuss implications. Even then, its support remains the evidence presented in the body.
The lower fares and the shorter queues point in the same direction: on balance, the pilot should continue.
The lower fares and the shorter queues point in the same direction: on balance, the pilot should continue.
The judgement refers to facts already named.
Taking everything into account, the earlier figures justify caution.
Taking everything into account, the earlier figures justify caution.
The basis is previously presented data, not new information.
Summarising in your own paragraph and in speech
A useful pattern for your own text is: a consideration in favour, a consideration against, then a frame introducing the judgement. It works in a note, essay or spoken presentation. In speech, contractions such as I'd recommend are possible, but the sequence stays the same: recall what has been weighed and state what follows.
Before finishing, check whether the conclusion is clear, follows from the material and uses the concluding expression correctly. A recommendation or the implications of the conclusion can follow the overall assessment if that serves the text's purpose.
Long commutes drain energy, yet city rents keep rising. On balance, I would choose the cheaper flat, but I would try to work from home twice a week.
Long commutes drain energy, yet city rents keep rising. On balance, I would choose the cheaper flat, but I would try to work from home twice a week.
Considerations, a qualification and a judgement accompanied by a proposed adjustment.
To sum up, I have looked at costs, comfort and travel time. All things considered, I recommend the second option.
To sum up, I have looked at costs, comfort and travel time. All things considered, I recommend the second option.
A spoken ending: summary first, then judgement.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:On balance that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Correct:On balance, the benefits outweigh the costs.
After the balancing frame, use a comma and a complete clause. That is needed in frames such as I would argue that, but not here.
Incorrect:All things considering, the plan is sound.
Correct:All things considered, the plan is sound.
The fixed expression requires the past participle considered: everything has been taken into account.
Incorrect:Taking everything in account, the proposal should be accepted.
Correct:Taking everything into account, the proposal should be accepted.
The fixed expression uses the preposition into, not in.
Incorrect:To sum, the findings support a trial.
Correct:To sum up, the findings support a trial.
The summary frame needs the particle up: To sum up.
Incorrect:All the things considered, the policy is fair.
Correct:All things considered, the policy is fair.
The fixed expression has no article before things.