initial conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial conclusion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are presenting a preliminary conclusion that may be subject to change. For example, "After evaluating the survey results, our initial conclusion is that most people prefer the original flavor of the product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The initial conclusion was reached from images of the victims.

The Times

That initial conclusion by Dyson, Eddington, Crommelin and their teams was subsequently confirmed by many further eclipse experiments.

Nature

He added his initial conclusion from audio of the gunfire pointed to a bump modification on at least one weapon.

The Washington Post

But the journalist said she had been told that the investigators' initial conclusion was that the fire was an accident.

The New York Times

The initial conclusion appeared to be that they could not, at least not in the settings Wilczek visualized.

Princeton University

Publishers of the editions of Shakespeare's works that included the elegy after Professor Foster's initial conclusion are inclining toward a revolutionary moment, too.

The New York Times - Books

His initial conclusion was that while jatropha could be grown on marginal land, it produces a lot more oil on cropland.

The New York Times

If the man were, in fact, just Jersey Shore, would the child's initial conclusion have been an affront?

The New York Times

In their initial conclusion, the researchers reported that the vaccine appeared to be 31% more effective than a placebo.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although investigators quickly reached an initial conclusion that Mr. Foster's death was probably a suicide, there were few clues when he died about his possible motives.

The New York Times

It took the agency four days to realize that bullets had actually hit the residence after an initial conclusion that the sounds were simply a car backfiring.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial conclusion" when you want to convey that your assessment is subject to change based on new information or further analysis. Be upfront about its tentative nature to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting your "initial conclusion" as a definitive statement. Make sure to temper expectations by highlighting that the conclusion is subject to change based on new data or evolving understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial conclusion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a preliminary assessment or judgment, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial conclusion" is a widely used phrase to present a preliminary assessment or judgment that is subject to change. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it appears most frequently in news, science, and academic settings. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to indicate the tentative nature of the conclusion. Remember that while several alternatives exist, such as "preliminary assessment" and "early assessment", the ideal choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial assessment

Emphasizes the evaluation process but in a starting form.

preliminary assessment

Emphasizes the evaluative aspect and its tentative nature.

early assessment

Highlights the timing of the assessment being at an early stage.

first impression

Focuses on the immediate and superficial nature of the initial judgment.

working hypothesis

Suggests a provisional explanation used as a basis for further investigation.

tentative diagnosis

Applicable in medical contexts, indicating an uncertain diagnosis.

initial hypothesis

Focuses on a starting point for investigation that needs further testing or confirmation.

preliminary finding

Suggests a factual discovery that requires more investigation.

first take

Informal way to express a first attempt or approach.

starting point

Indicates a place to begin an investigation or discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "initial conclusion" in a sentence?

You can use "initial conclusion" to introduce a preliminary finding or assessment. For example, "Our initial conclusion is that further research is needed".

What is a good alternative to "initial conclusion"?

Alternatives include "preliminary assessment", "early assessment", or "initial assessment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it okay to use "initial conclusion" in formal writing?

Yes, "initial conclusion" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in research reports or analytical documents where you need to present tentative findings.

What's the difference between "initial conclusion" and "final conclusion"?

"Initial conclusion" refers to a preliminary assessment that may change, while "final conclusion" represents the ultimate judgment after all evidence has been considered.