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to come to a conclusion

to come to a conclusion

13 3.0
To make a final decision after thinking
  • phrasal verb
  • /kʌm tu ə kənˈkluːʒən/
translation icon : llegar a una conclusión
  • After discussing the options for hours, we finally came to a conclusion about which project to pursue.

I was more hands on, but I came to a conclusion early on.

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Examples

  • So me and Danny have come to a conclusion that we think our Peaches is pregnant.

  • " Have you come to a conclusion?" Jory asked.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I was more hands on, but I came to a conclusion early on.

  • * I have now come to a conclusion.

  • I just want us to come to a conclusion.

    Academic text (2007)
  • We have to come to a conclusion we can both be convinced is right.

    Blog text (16)
  • Lilly looks at the other picture, looks again at the money, and comes to a conclusion.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • With all this thinking about the whole issue, I've come to a conclusion.

    Blog text (31)
  • After weeks of debating, the critics and supporters still cannot come to a conclusion on Notre Dame.

    Blog text (16)
  • When Saint Augustine reflected upon his stealing of pears when young, he came to a conclusion of momentous importance for Western thought.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

to decide
vsto come to a conclusion
1.0

To end a disagreement by choosing a final outcome

is used generally to reach a final decision after thinking
to judge
vsto come to a conclusion
914 2.5

To form an opinion about someone or something

is focused on reaching a final decision rather than forming a general opinion
to determine
vsto come to a conclusion
  • Formal
485 3.2

To officially decide a dispute or question

is similar but not always an official or conclusive resolution
to conclude
vsto come to a conclusion
428 3.1

To decide something after looking at the facts

is less strict about requiring every detail before deciding
to arrive at
vsto come to a conclusion
320 2.1

Reach a place, for example a station, or come to a decision after thinking

is focused only on reaching a final decision after consideration
to make a decision
vsto come to a conclusion
274 1.0

To choose what to do after thinking about the options

is the same idea but emphasizes finality and considered judgment
to make up one's mind
vsto come to a conclusion
102 3.2

Decide after thinking about the choices

is similar but often used in less formal, personal contexts
to resolve
vsto come to a conclusion
81 3.4

To decide firmly to do something

is like this but focuses on reaching a judgment after consideration
to come to a decision
vsto come to a conclusion
18 2.7

Choose what to do after thinking about the choices

has identical meaning but uses an alternative phrasing
to settle upon
vsto come to a conclusion
1 3.9

To pick one thing after thinking about the choices

is about individual final judgment rather than needing agreement
to come to judgement
vsto come to a conclusion
  • UK
1 6.9

To make a final decision about a disagreement after hearing both sides

is similar but applies generally after consideration rather than formal authority
to arrive at a decision
vsto come to a conclusion
1 2.9

To choose what to do after thinking about the options

expresses the same outcome but uses different wording

Antonyms

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

How Final

to decide
1.0
to come to a conclusion
13 3.0
to consider
670 2.4
to think about
1.0

Surface Forms

coming to a conclusion present participle
comes to a conclusion third person singular
come to a conclusion past participle

Morphology

come + to + a + conclusion

The meaning 'to reach a final decision or judgment' is directly derivable from combining 'come' (arrive at a state) with 'conclusion' (a judgment), with 'to' and 'a' serving as grammatical linking elements. The pattern 'come to X' = 'arrive at X' is common and cross-linguistically transparent (e.g. Spanish 'llegar a una conclusión'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Come to a conclusion paints a simple picture: the verb come means to arrive and conclusion means the end, so it is like reaching the end of a road or the last page of a book. When you 'come to a conclusion', you have arrived at the final point and 'decide' what to think or do.