To combine these arguments

You usually place this phrase at the start of a sentence. It acts as a bridge between your body paragraphs and your conclusion. Imagine you just wrote a paragraph about the cost of electric cars. Then you wrote a paragraph about their environmental impact. Now, you want to show that the cost is worth the impact. You start your next sentence with To combine these arguments. It tells the reader, "Hey, pay attention, because I am bringing it all together now." It is like the 'checkout' button on a shopping app. It finishes the process. Don't use it too early in your writing. You need to actually have arguments to combine first! It's like trying to bake a cake with only flour. You need the eggs and sugar on the table before you mix them.

This is a heavy-duty, formal expression. You will find it in university essays, business reports, and legal documents. It is the gold standard for C1 and C2 level English exams like the IELTS or TOEFL. You wouldn't use this while texting your friend about where to get tacos. If you said, "To combine these arguments, we should go to Taco Bell," your friend might think you've been reading too many textbooks. It belongs in the world of logic and professional persuasion. Use it when you want to sound like the smartest person in the Zoom room. It shows you have a high level of control over complex English structures.

Imagine a tech reviewer on YouTube comparing two different smartphones. They talk about the camera for five minutes. Then they talk about the battery life. Finally, they say, "To combine these arguments, the phone is a great choice for travelers." Or think about a CEO giving a presentation. They show a slide about declining sales and a slide about rising competition. They conclude, "To combine these arguments, we need a new marketing strategy immediately." In an academic paper about climate change, a student might use it to link rising sea levels with economic migration. It turns data into a story. It’s the difference between a pile of LEGOs and a finished castle.

Use this phrase when you have at least two distinct points that lead to the same result. It is perfect for the final third of an essay. If you are in a job interview and they ask why they should hire you, you can list your experience and your passion. Then, finish with, "To combine these arguments, I believe I am the best fit for this role." It makes you sound prepared and logical. It's also great for debate club or any time you are trying to win a disagreement online. Just make sure your arguments actually make sense together. If you combine a weak argument with a strong one, the weak one might drag the other down!

Avoid this phrase in casual settings. It is way too 'stiff' for a first date or a chat at the pub. Don't use it if you only have one point. You can't combine one thing with itself. That’s just... one thing. Also, don't use it as a simple replacement for "and." It implies a deeper logical connection than just adding items to a list. If you are just listing ingredients for a recipe, don't use it. "To combine these arguments, we need salt and pepper" sounds like you are defending the salt in a court of law. Stick to simpler transitions like "also" or "in addition" for low-stakes situations.

(You need more than one argument to combine things, so use the plural!)

(While 'by combining' is grammatically okay, 'to combine' is the standard idiomatic way to start this specific transition.)

(The conclusion must actually relate to the arguments you just made. Don't be random!)

If you find yourself using this phrase too much, try Synthesizing these points. It sounds even more academic and high-level. You could also say Taking these perspectives into account. For something slightly shorter, Integrating these ideas works beautifully. In a more professional business setting, people often say Looking at these factors collectively. If you want to be very direct, try When viewed together, these arguments suggest.... Even simple phrases like All things considered can do the same job, but they don't have the same "weight" as the original phrase. Use Synthesizing if you want to impress a professor.

Is this phrase too formal for an email?

If it’s a professional email to a client, it’s great. If it’s to your work-bestie, maybe skip it.

Can I use 'merge' instead of 'combine'?

'Merge' sounds a bit like a car accident or a corporate takeover. 'Combine' or 'synthesize' is better for logic.

Does it always need a comma?

Yes! Since it's an introductory phrase, you need that little pause provided by the comma.

Can I use it in the middle of a sentence?

It’s possible, but it usually loses its power. It’s much more effective at the beginning.