unable to conclude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to conclude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a decision or judgment cannot be reached based on the available information or evidence. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence presented, I am unable to conclude whether the defendant is guilty or innocent."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would we throw up our hands, unable to conclude what really happened?

The New York Times

It's also fair to say that Yasir Arafat is unable to conclude a permanent agreement at this time.

The New York Times

As a result, the Court of Chancery was unable to conclude that the directors had met their burden under Revlon.

Harvard University

He continued: "I have been unable to conclude otherwise than that, when they were not totally useless, perfidious, and parasitic, they were unspeakably barbaric".

The New York Times

Sportech chief executive Ian Penrose said: Burlywood was unable to conclude the transaction set out within their proposal which we announced in September.

The Guardian - Business

The SEC Staff was "unable to conclude that H&R Block's proxy access bylaw compares favorably with the guidelines of the proposal" based on the information presented.

Harvard University

The United States has been unable to conclude a so-called bilateral security agreement (BSA) with the government of the outgoing Afghan President, Hamid Karzai.

University of Pennsylvania

In the present case, I am simply unable to conclude that the prosecution met its burden of establishing Anita Isaacs' unavailability.

Cornell University

While therefore we are unable to conclude that there is no jurisdiction in this cause, nevertheless compelling reasons exist for not exercising it.

Cornell University

Mr. Weill tried for a time to take over American Express's troubled Fireman's Fund insurance unit but was unable to conclude a mutually satisfactory deal.

The New York Times

"Ofcom was unable to conclude definitively whether or not the substitution took place as a result of either the alleged booking condition or the alleged involvement of ITV or the ITV Network," the regulator said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to conclude", ensure that the reason for the inability is clear from the context. Specify what prevents you from reaching a conclusion, such as lack of evidence or conflicting information.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to conclude" when you simply haven't finished analyzing the data or the situation. This phrase suggests a fundamental barrier to reaching a conclusion, not just a delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to conclude" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject, expressing a lack of ability to reach a decision or judgment. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to conclude" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express an inability to reach a decision or judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across varied contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure the context clearly explains why a conclusion is unattainable. Alternatives like "cannot determine" and "not able to decide" offer similar meanings. It's worth remembering that using this phrase is about a fundamental barrier, not just a temporary delay in reaching a conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not able to decide

A simpler way of saying unable to make a decision.

was not able to decide

Past tense version, indicating a previous inability to decide.

cannot determine

Substitutes "conclude" with "determine", indicating an inability to find something out definitively.

incapable of deciding

Replaces "conclude" with "deciding", focusing on the act of making a decision.

not able to come to a decision

A more verbose way of expressing the inability to make a decision.

cannot reach a verdict

Specifically implies the inability to make a judgment, often in a legal context.

not in a place to judge

Highlights a lack of readiness to form an opinion.

not in a position to judge

Emphasizes the lack of authority or readiness to form an opinion.

failed to resolve

Highlights the failure to find a solution or decision.

could not ascertain

Uses a more formal word, "ascertain", to indicate the failure to find something out for certain.

FAQs

How can I use "unable to conclude" in a sentence?

You can use "unable to conclude" to express that you cannot reach a firm decision or judgment. For example, "After reviewing the data, we were "unable to conclude" that the treatment was effective."

What can I say instead of "unable to conclude"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot determine", "not able to decide", or "incapable of deciding" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unable to conclude" or "unable to be concluded"?

"Unable to conclude" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Unable to be concluded" is grammatically awkward and rarely used.

What's the difference between "unable to conclude" and "unwilling to conclude"?

"Unable to conclude" means you lack the capacity or evidence to reach a conclusion. "Unwilling to conclude" implies you have the ability but refuse to do so, perhaps for ethical or personal reasons.