preconceived conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preconceived conclusion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss an opinion or idea that someone has arrived at ahead of time without considering other evidence or arguments. For example, "My preconceived conclusion was wrong - the evidence showed something entirely different."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Indeed, as Mr. Silver introduced the committee members, he said that there was "no preconceived conclusion to this" and that the panel would consider "all possible options for strengthening the governance" of the school system.

The New York Times

It is distressing, to say the least, to find The Times publishing an incor rect figure to support a preconceived conclusion while ignoring all the evi dence which points the other way.

The New York Times

They interpret every potential anomaly as evidence for their preconceived conclusion that Bigfoot, or whatever, is out there".

Vice

But this article is a smear campaign against an entire and rather noble industry that distorts and twists the truth to reach a preconceived conclusion independent of the facts.

Huffington Post

Kagan, prompted by Democratic supporters on the Senate Judiciary Committee, gave a blunt denunciation of "results-oriented judging," the adjusting of judicial reasoning to fit a preconceived conclusion, but she refused to join them in applying the criticism to the current court under Chief Justice John Roberts.

Huffington Post

Fourth and perhaps most important, in these exercises, students are not working toward a preconceived conclusion, using a predetermined series of steps, only to reveal something that they probably already learned about as a "known fact".

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He also said he had reached no preconceived conclusions about the results of the review.

The New York Times

"Wolfowitz and company disbelieve any analysis that doesn't support their own preconceived conclusions.

The New York Times

There are no major issues being solemnly debated to preconceived conclusions.

The New York Times

Addressing the Council after the unanimous vote against his country, he assailed the report as one based on "preconceived conclusions".

The New York Times

A spokesman for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Jordan Barowitz, said the group had selected the eight agencies "to fulfill preconceived conclusions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "preconceived conclusion" to critique arguments or studies where the outcome seems to be decided before the evidence is fully examined. It suggests a lack of objectivity.

Common error

While "preconceived conclusion" often carries a negative connotation, implying bias, recognize that people naturally approach new information with existing frameworks. Not all preconceived conclusions are malicious or intentionally misleading; they can simply reflect prior knowledge or assumptions that need re-evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preconceived conclusion" functions as a noun phrase, where "preconceived" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "conclusion". According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe an opinion or idea that someone has already formed without taking into account all arguments or pieces of evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preconceived conclusion" is a phrase used to describe a judgment or belief formed before considering all relevant evidence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and highlights its use in criticizing biased reasoning or decision-making. While often carrying a negative connotation, it's important to recognize that not all preconceived conclusions are malicious. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, use it to signal a lack of objectivity and to encourage a more thorough examination of evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preconceived judgment

Replaces "conclusion" with "judgment", indicating a decision has been made already.

foregone conclusion

Suggests the conclusion was inevitable from the start.

preformed judgment

Emphasizes the premature nature of the judgment.

predetermined outcome

Focuses on the result being decided in advance.

predisposed opinion

Indicates an inclination to a certain viewpoint.

pre-established result

Highlights that the result was set up earlier.

previously determined decision

Focuses on the fact that the decision had already been made.

settled opinion

Indicates a firm, unchanging belief.

biased perspective

Emphasizes the lack of neutrality.

preordained resolution

Suggests the outcome was fated or divinely determined.

FAQs

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

You can use "preconceived conclusion" to describe a situation where someone has formed an opinion or belief before fully considering the evidence. For example, "The committee was accused of operating with a "preconceived conclusion", ignoring evidence that contradicted their initial assumptions."

What is a synonym for "preconceived conclusion"?

Synonyms for "preconceived conclusion" include phrases like "foregone conclusion", "preformed judgment", or "predetermined outcome". Each carries a similar meaning of a decision or belief formed in advance.

Is "preconceived conclusion" the same as "hypothesis"?

No, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation for a phenomenon, used as a basis for further investigation, whereas a "preconceived conclusion" suggests a belief formed without proper investigation. A hypothesis is open to change based on evidence, while a "preconceived conclusion" implies a closed mind.

What's the difference between "preconceived conclusion" and "preconceived notion"?

A "preconceived notion" is a general idea or belief formed beforehand, while a "preconceived conclusion" is a specific judgment or decision reached before considering all the facts. The former is a broader concept, while the latter implies a specific outcome or result that has been decided in advance.