Wrapping up a presentation or a paper can be deceptively difficult. It seems like it should be easy—after all, your goal is to summarize the ideas you’ve already presented and possibly make a call to action. You don’t have to find new information; you just have to share what you already know.
Here’s where it gets tricky, though. Oftentimes, it turns out that the hardest part about writing a good conclusion is avoiding repetition.
That’s where we can help, at least a little bit. When it comes to using a transition word or phrase to kick off your conclusion, the phrase in conclusion is frequently overused. It’s easy to understand why—it is straightforward. But there are far more interesting and attention-grabbing words and phrases you can use in your papers and speeches to signal that you have reached the end.
One of the simplest synonyms of in conclusion is in summary . This transition phrase signals that you are going to briefly state the main idea or conclusion of your research. Like in conclusion , it is formal enough to be used both when writing an academic paper and when giving a presentation.
A less formal version of in summary is to sum up . While this phrase expresses the same idea, it's more commonly found in oral presentations rather than written papers in this use.
A conclusion doesn't simply review the main idea or argument of a presentation. In some cases, a conclusion includes a more complete assessment of the evidence presented. For example, in some cases, you might choose to briefly review the chain of logic of an argument to demonstrate how you reached your conclusion. In these instances, the expressions let's review or to review are good signposts.
The transition phrases let's review and to review are most often used in spoken presentations, not in written papers. Unlike the other examples we have looked at, let's review is a complete sentence on its own.
A classy alternative to in conclusion , both in papers and presentations, is in closing . It is a somewhat formal expression, without being flowery. This transition phrase is especially useful for the last or penultimate sentence of a conclusion. It is a good way to signal that you are nearly at the bitter end of your essay or speech. A particularly common way to use in closing is to signal in an argumentative piece that you are about to give your call to action (what you want your audience to do).
The expression in a nutshell is a cute and informal metaphor used to indicate that you are about to give a short summary. (Imagine you're taking all of the information and shrinking it down so it can fit in a nutshell.) It's appropriate to use in a nutshell both in writing and in speeches, but it should be avoided in contexts where you're expected to use a serious, formal register .
The expression in a nutshell can also be used to signal you've reached the end of a summarized story or argument that you are relating orally, as in "That's the whole story, in a nutshell."
Another informal expression that signals you're about to give a short summary is to make a long story short , sometimes abbreviated to simply long story short. The implication of this expression is that a lengthy saga has been cut down to just the most important facts. (Not uncommonly, long story short is used ironically to indicate that a story has, in fact, been far too long and detailed.)
Because it is so casual, long story short is most often found in presentations rather than written papers. Either the full expression or the shortened version are appropriate, as long as there isn't an expectation that you be formal with your language.
If using a transitional expression doesn't appeal to you, and you would rather stick to a straightforward transition word, you have quite a few options. We are going to cover a couple of the transition words you may choose to use to signal you are wrapping up, either when giving a presentation or writing a paper.
The first term we are going to look at is ultimately . Ultimately is an adverb that means "in the end; at last; finally." Typically, you will want to use it in the first or last sentence of your conclusion. Like in closing , it is particularly effective at signaling a call to action.
Another transition word that is good for conclusions is lastly , an adverb meaning "in conclusion; in the last place; finally." Lastly can be used in informational or argumentative essays or speeches. It is a way to signal that you are about to provide the last point in your summary or argument. The word lastly is most often used in the first or last sentence of a conclusion.
The word overall is particularly good for summing up an idea or argument as part of your conclusion. Meaning "covering or including everything," overall is a bit like a formal synonym for "in a nutshell."
Unlike the other examples we have looked at in this slideshow, it is not unusual for overall to be found at the end of a sentence, rather than only at the beginning.
Using traditional language like the options we have outlined so far is not your only choice when it comes to crafting a strong conclusion. If you are writing an argumentative essay or speech, you might also choose to end with one or a short series of open-ended or leading questions. These function as a creative call to action and leave the audience thinking about the arguments you have made.
In many cases, these questions begin with a WH-word , such as who or what. The specifics will vary spending on the argument being made, but here are a few general examples:
Before we wrap up, we want to leave you with one last alternative for in conclusion . The expression on a final note signals that you are about to give your final point or argument. On a final note is formal enough to be used both in writing and in speeches. In fact, it can be used in a speech as a natural way to transition to your final thank yous.
The next time you are working on a conclusion and find yourself stuck for inspiration, try out some of these expressions. After all, there is always more than one way to write an ending.
Ways To Say
(Entry 1 of 2)
Synonyms & Similar Words
Thesaurus Definition of means (Entry 2 of 2)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
mean-spirited
“Means.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/means. Accessed 26 Jun. 2024.
Nglish: Translation of means for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of means for Arabic Speakers
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Word of the day.
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Plural and possessive names: a guide, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, more commonly mispronounced words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), popular in wordplay, 8 words for lesser-known musical instruments, birds say the darndest things, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version), 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), games & quizzes.
You want to sound as engaging and interesting as possible when writing an essay, and using words like “said” might prevent that.
So, if you’re about to use “said” for the umpteenth time, you’re in luck!
We have gathered some alternatives to show you other ways to say “said” in an essay that are bound to keep the reader entertained.
Key takeaways.
Keep reading to find out how to quote what someone said in an essay. We’ll go over the three most effective terms to help spice up your academic writing.
One of the most common ways to replace “said” in an essay is “stated.” It’s a great formal synonym that helps to keep things direct and clear for the reader.
It works well before a quote. You should write “stated” to clarify that you’re about to run a quote by the reader.
Of course, you can’t claim that someone “stated” something without backing it up with evidence.
The last thing you’ll want is for the reader to look into the quote and find out it was never actually said.
But, as long as you’ve done your research, this works well. Good academic phrases that start with “stated” help you to establish a clear quote relating to the bulk of your essay.
These essay samples will also help you understand it:
It’s clear that he stated “time is the killer of all things.” However, nobody really understood the prophetic meaning behind it.
She stated that “it’s time to make the changes you want to see in the world.” That’s what led most people to join the revolution.
For a more impactful alternative, you can use “declared.”
You won’t find “declared” quite as often as “said,” but it’s still an incredibly good term to include.
It’s a formal synonym. It also shows that someone announced something important .
Generally, “declared” comes before compelling quotes. It might be more suitable to use it when quoting a famous politician or monarch of some kind.
It’s a surefire way to engage the reader and spark their imagination.
We highly recommend it when you’re certain that it belongs before a quote and will allow you to establish a more powerful meaning behind it.
Perhaps these essay samples will also help you with it:
The king declared “good things will come to those who ask me for them.” He was a very proud man.
She declared that “this was going to be the only time she offered her services to those in need.”
Feel free to use “mentioned,” too. It’s another word you can use instead of “said” in an essay that’ll keep things engaging for the reader.
It’s much subtler than the other phrases. It suggests that someone has made a brief comment about something, and you’d like to quote it for the reader.
Don’t worry; it’s still a good formal synonym. However, you should use it when the quote isn’t the most important part of your essay.
Quotes are there to add a bit of context for the reader. So, they’re not always needed to improve an essay.
“Mentioned” is a simple word that allows you to include a short but interesting quote . However, it usually isn’t as impactful as saying something like “declared” or “exclaimed.”
You can also refer to these essay examples:
The politician mentioned that “we cannot know what we haven’t already experienced.” That resonated with me.
It was clear that he mentioned “things were bound to change soon,” so they had to figure out what he meant.
We are a team of experienced communication specialists.
Our mission is to help you choose the right phrase or word for your emails and texts.
Choosing the right words shouldn't be your limitation!
© WordSelector
Related terms for this means - synonyms, antonyms and sentences with this means, similar meaning.
Proper usage in context.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Synonyms for ESSAY: article, paper, dissertation, theme, thesis, composition, treatise, editorial; Antonyms of ESSAY: quit, drop, give up. ... While the synonyms attempt and essay are close in meaning, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.
Find 60 different ways to say MEANING, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for meaning include definition, sense, denotation, elucidation, explanation, explication, interpretation, connotation, description and exposition. Find more ...
Find 80 different ways to say ESSAY, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
Synonyms for essay include article, dissertation, paper, treatise, thesis, discourse, study, composition, critique and exposition. Find more similar words at ...
ESSAY - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus
Synonyms for ESSAY in English: composition, study, paper, article, piece, assignment, discourse, tract, treatise, dissertation, …
Essay Synonyms and Antonyms. ĕsā, ĕ-sā . Meanings Synonyms Common Words ... Related words are words that are directly connected to each other through their meaning, even if they are not synonyms or antonyms. This connection may be general or specific, or the words may appear frequently together. Related: words; investigate; 1000-word ...
Another way to say Essay? Synonyms for Essay (other words and phrases for Essay). Synonyms for Essay. 1 447 other terms for essay- words and phrases with similar meaning. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. words. phrases. idioms. Parts of speech. verbs. nouns. adjectives. Tags. effort. try.
A composition that is usually short and has a literary theme is called an essay. You should probably start writing your essay on "To Kill a Mockingbird" sometime before the bus ride to school the day it is due. ... synonyms: assay, attempt, seek, try. see more see less. types: show 17 types... hide 17 types... pick up the gauntlet, take a dare ...
The meaning of ESSAY is an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view. How to use essay in a sentence. ... Synonyms of essay. 1. a: an analytic or interpretative literary composition usually dealing with its subject from a limited or personal point of view. b
Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Essay meaning and usage. Thesaurus for Essay. Related terms for essay- synonyms, antonyms and sentences with essay. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. Parts of speech. verbs. nouns. adjectives. Synonyms Similar meaning. View all.
Thesaurus.com is more than just a website for finding synonyms and antonyms of words. It is a comprehensive online resource that helps you improve your vocabulary, writing, and communication skills. Whether you need a word of the day, a synonym for a common term, or an example sentence to illustrate your point, Thesaurus.com has it all.
The term "Essay" is deeply rooted in the literary and academic arena, often denoting a short piece of writing on a particular subject. Originating from the French word 'essayer', meaning 'to try' or 'to attempt', an essay is an endeavor to express thoughts, arguments, or narratives in a structured manner.
Synonyms for ESSAYS: articles, papers, themes, dissertations, editorials, treatises, commentaries, compositions; Antonyms of ESSAYS: drops, gives up, quits
If you're struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don't worry—you've come to the right place! In this article, we've compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay. Contents: Words to Use in the Essay Introduction. Words to Use in the Body of the Essay.
4. That is to say. Usage: "That is" and "that is to say" can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: "Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.". 5. To that end. Usage: Use "to that end" or "to this end" in a similar way to "in order to" or "so".
Synonyms for essays include tries, attempts, strives, seeks, aims, endeavours, undertakes, endeavors, assays and ventures. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
Synonyms for This Means (other words and phrases for This Means). Synonyms for This means. 250 other terms for this means- words and phrases with similar meaning. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. words. phrases. Parts of speech. adverbs. nouns. adjectives. Tags. consequence. stage.
Concluding your paper or presentation can feel redundant if you always say "in conclusion." These alternatives will help you end your project with style.
Synonyms for MEANS: signifies, implies, denotes, indicates, suggests, intends, spells, expresses; Antonyms of MEANS: liabilities, debts, indebtedness
Stated. One of the most common ways to replace "said" in an essay is "stated.". It's a great formal synonym that helps to keep things direct and clear for the reader. It works well before a quote. You should write "stated" to clarify that you're about to run a quote by the reader. Of course, you can't claim that someone ...
Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define This means meaning and usage. Thesaurus for This means. Related terms for this means- synonyms, antonyms and sentences with this means. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. Parts of speech. nouns. adverbs. adjectives. Synonyms Similar meaning.
To get high scores at essay writing tests, learners of English as a foreign language need to focus on good arguments more than on complex grammar. The finding challenges conventional approaches to ...