Inconclusive
/ˌɪnkənˈkluːsɪv/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Inconclusive describes something that does not lead to a clear or final answer. For example, a test, experiment, or discussion can be inconclusive if it does not give enough proof or evidence to decide what is true or what should happen next.
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See It in Action
Not giving a clear or final answer
- •The test results were inconclusive, so the doctor ordered more exams.
- •The meeting was inconclusive because no agreement was reached.
- •His research was inconclusive and did not prove the hypothesis.
Not enough evidence to decide
- •The evidence in the trial was inconclusive, so the judge could not make a decision.
- •The experiment was inconclusive because of errors in the data.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "inconclusive" like "no result," but with a more formal meaning—it means you tried, but the answer is still not clear
- ✓Picture a puzzle with missing pieces so you cannot see the full picture or finish it
- ✓It's the feeling when you study hard for a test but still don’t know if you passed or failed because the results are unclear
- ✓Sounds like "in-CON-clusive" → imagine trying to "conclude" (finish) something but you cannot because it is "in-" (not) done or clear
- ✓Think of a detective story where the clues don’t solve the case yet, so the mystery remains open
- ✓NOT like "clear" (which means easy to understand or certain), inconclusive means the opposite—uncertain or unclear
- ✓NOT like "decisive" (which means final and clear), inconclusive means no final decision can be made
- ✓NOT like "failure" (which means something did not work), inconclusive means the result is unclear, not necessarily bad or good
Try Other Words
- •Uncertain: not sure or definite (Use when you want to say something is not known clearly)
- •Undecided: not having made a decision (Use when talking about people or groups who have not chosen yet)
- •Incomplete: not finished or missing parts (Use when something is missing information or parts)
- •Ambiguous: having more than one possible meaning (Use when something can be understood in different ways)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" meaning "not" or "without"
- •Root: "conclusive" meaning "providing a clear and final result"
- •Etymology: from Latin "concludere," meaning "to close or finish"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe arguments or evidence that do not fully prove a point
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in science, law, and everyday situations to describe unclear or unfinished results
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to wait because the results were inconclusive? How did that feel?
•How might being inconclusive be both a good and a bad thing in different situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.The experiment was inconclusive because the data did not ___ a clear answer.
2.When the evidence is inconclusive, it is difficult to ___ a final decision.
3.The test results were inconclusive, so the doctor decided to ___ more tests.
4.Inconclusive results often lead to ___ discussions or further research.
5.Unlike a clear answer, an inconclusive outcome leaves people feeling ___.
6.The jury found the evidence inconclusive and therefore could not ___ the defendant guilty.
7.Scientists sometimes get inconclusive results when the experiment has ___ problems.