inconclusive results

USAGE SUMMARY

"inconclusive results" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to findings or data that do not lead to a definite conclusion or decision. It can be used in scientific reports, research papers, and other formal writing. For example: - After months of testing and analysis, the researchers were disappointed to find inconclusive results, unable to definitively prove their hypothesis. - The investigation into the crime yielded inconclusive results, leaving the authorities with more questions than answers. - The study's inconclusive results left the team baffled, prompting them to conduct further experiments to clarify their findings.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There's almost zero inconclusive results now.

The New York Times - Arts

Mears makes a conscientious attempt to disentangle the conflicting strands of Grès's biography, with inconclusive results.

The New York Times - Style

The Chilean Presidential election, which took place last Sunday, November 17th, yielded inconclusive results.

The New Yorker

(At one point, Rief consults Sigmund Freud himself, with inconclusive results).

The New Yorker

While researchers have argued that diet is also involved, past studies have produced inconclusive results.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Iraq's newest foreign occupiers are trying the same formula, but the ingredients are different, producing inconclusive results.

The New York Times

Gary Waters of Tucson, Ariz., has tried an approach like Mr. Hruby's — with the same inconclusive results.

The New York Times

The inconclusive results of the newspaper recounts remind us that judges shouldn't cast themselves as national saviors in political disputes.

The New York Times

He was referring not to his relationship with his wife, but rather to the inconclusive results of the Israeli elections.

The Guardian

Last year Vice's Motherboard investigated why users' online dating matches were appearing as suggested friends, with inconclusive results.

The Guardian - Tech

The inconclusive results of the latest trial are a surprise to many experts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or investigations, use "inconclusive results" to accurately reflect situations where clear conclusions cannot be drawn. This avoids overstating findings and maintains scientific integrity.

Common error

Avoid treating "inconclusive results" as definitively negative. They simply mean further investigation is needed, not necessarily that the initial hypothesis was incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconclusive results" functions as a noun phrase, where "inconclusive" modifies "results". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe outcomes or data that do not provide a clear or definitive conclusion. Examples across different contexts illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inconclusive results" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, particularly in scientific and news contexts, to describe findings that do not lead to a clear or definitive conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. While the phrase is most frequently used in science and news domains, it maintains a formal register and serves to objectively convey the limitations of a study or investigation. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid misinterpretations and accurately represent the need for further investigation rather than dismissing the initial inquiry as a failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconclusive data

Focuses that data's nature is not clear.

indefinite results

Indicates the results are not clearly defined or determined.

uncertain conclusions

Focuses on the lack of certainty or definiteness in the conclusions drawn.

equivocal data

Stresses the data's lack of clarity and decisiveness.

ambiguous outcomes

Highlights the unclear and open-to-interpretation nature of the outcomes.

unsettled findings

Implies the findings are not yet firmly established or agreed upon.

unproven findings

Emphasizes the lack of proof or validation in the results.

tentative outcomes

Suggests the outcomes are provisional and subject to change.

unresolved answers

Highlights that the questions remain unanswered or not fully addressed.

open-ended results

Emphasizes that the results do not provide a final or definitive answer.

FAQs

How to use "inconclusive results" in a sentence?

You can use "inconclusive results" to describe situations where the data or evidence does not lead to a clear or definite conclusion. For example: "The study yielded "inconclusive results" regarding the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What can I say instead of "inconclusive results"?

Alternatives to "inconclusive results" include "ambiguous outcomes", "uncertain conclusions", or "indefinite results", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "inconclusive results" or "inconclusive result"?

"Inconclusive results" is generally more appropriate when referring to a body of findings or data. "Inconclusive result" might be used when referring to a single test or experiment, but the plural form is more common.

What does it mean when a study has "inconclusive results"?

When a study has "inconclusive results", it means the data collected did not provide enough evidence to support or reject the initial hypothesis. Further research or a different approach may be needed to reach a more definitive conclusion.