not to conclude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not to conclude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a statement or argument is not meant to reach a final decision or summary. Example: "I would like to present my findings, not to conclude, but to encourage further discussion on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult not to conclude that this is, in some way, our loss.

The New York Times - Books

It's hard not to conclude that Basquiat's best years were his early ones.

The Guardian - Arts

Thus, Dubinsky had every reason not to conclude a contract until the merger was announced.

The New York Times - Magazine

Interestingly, however, Diamond chooses not to conclude his arguments on that apocalyptic note.

The Guardian - Books

Another Western intelligence official cautioned not to conclude that Mr. Isamuddin was telling all.

The New York Times

"It's hard not to conclude that conservative-leaning governments are bad for women," she said.

The Guardian - Business

(It's hard not to conclude that it's better to be poor in Paris than in London).

The New Yorker

It is hard not to conclude that these children's backs are under significant stress.

The New York Times - Science

"It is hard not to conclude that some religious purpose lay behind this," says Stringer.

The Guardian

But it's hard not to conclude that Mr. Juster was secretly siding with King Azaz.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a strange choice not to conclude the novel's action before the Great War.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not to conclude" when you want to present information without making a definitive judgment or when you want to encourage further discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "not to conclude" excessively, especially when clarity is essential. Overuse can make your writing seem indecisive or unclear. Ensure you provide sufficient information to guide the reader, even if you don't explicitly state a conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not to conclude" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to express the purpose of an action or statement. It typically indicates an intention to avoid making a final judgment or reaching a definitive conclusion. As supported by Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not to conclude" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express the intention of avoiding a final judgment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable expression in English.

Its primary function is to present information or arguments without reaching a definitive conclusion, often inviting further discussion or consideration. As shown in the examples analyzed by Ludwig, the term appears mostly in News & Media contexts and has a neutral register. While not very common, the phrase serves as a valuable tool for maintaining objectivity in writing.

Alternatives like "avoid concluding" or "refrain from deciding" can be used to convey a similar meaning, offering flexibility in expression while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid concluding

This alternative directly replaces "not to conclude" with "avoid concluding", keeping the meaning very close.

decline to conclude

This alternative uses "decline" to indicate a refusal to reach a conclusion.

abstain from concluding

This alternative emphasizes a deliberate choice to not form a conclusion.

refrain from deciding

This alternative uses "refrain" to emphasize the act of holding back from making a decision.

suspend judgment

This alternative advises temporarily withholding a final opinion or decision.

hold off on deciding

This alternative conveys the idea of postponing a decision until a later time.

resist the urge to conclude

This alternative highlights the effort required to avoid drawing a conclusion.

not jump to conclusions

This idiomatic alternative advises caution against forming hasty judgments.

postpone the conclusion

This alternative suggests delaying the final decision or summary.

leave open the possibility

This alternative focuses on keeping options available and not settling on a single outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "not to conclude" in a sentence?

You can use "not to conclude" when presenting information or arguments without wanting to make a final judgment. For example, "I want to present these findings, "not to conclude", but to encourage further discussion."

What are some alternatives to "not to conclude"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "avoid concluding", "refrain from deciding", or "suspend judgment".

When is it appropriate to use "not to conclude"?

It's appropriate when you want to present information objectively without implying a definitive outcome or when more information is needed before making a final determination.

What's the difference between "not to conclude" and "to not conclude"?

The placement of "not" can subtly shift the emphasis. "Not to conclude" is more common and reads more naturally in most contexts where you're indicating a lack of intention to finalize something. "To not conclude" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.