Before I conclude

Using this phrase is like putting a nice ribbon on a gift. You usually place it right before your final thought, call to action, or thank-you message. In a presentation, you might have just finished your last data point. Instead of just jumping to "Any questions?", you say, Before I conclude, I want to remind everyone of our main goal. It bridges the gap between the 'meat' of your speech and the final 'goodbye.' On a Zoom call, it is a great way to reclaim the floor if things have gotten a bit chaotic. It signals that you are taking control to wrap things up neatly. You can also use it in formal emails or cover letters when you want to add a final, punchy sentence before your sign-off. Just remember: once you say it, you actually have to conclude! Don't be that person who says Before I conclude and then talks for another ten minutes. That is a quick way to lose your audience's trust.

This phrase sits comfortably in the 'Formal' to 'Neutral' categories. You probably won't use it while grabbing a burger with friends unless you are making a funny, mock-formal toast. It is the gold standard for business presentations, academic lectures, and wedding speeches. In a high-stakes job interview, using Before I conclude shows you have high-level communication skills. It makes you sound 'polished.' If you are in a very casual setting, like a WhatsApp group chat, it might sound a bit too stiff. For those moments, you’d probably say something like "One last thing..." or "To wrap up..." Instead, keep Before I conclude for when you want to sound professional and authoritative. It is the business suit of phrases—it fits perfectly in the boardroom or the lecture hall.

Imagine you are a YouTuber finishing a long tech review. You’ve talked about the specs, the price, and the battery. You say, Before I conclude this review, I have to mention the camera's night mode. This tells your subscribers that the video is ending soon, so they should stick around for the last tip. Or think about a TED Talk. The speaker has just shared a moving story. They pause, look at the audience, and say, Before I conclude, I want to leave you with one challenge. It creates a moment of tension and importance. In the world of LinkedIn, you might write a long post about your career journey. The very last paragraph could start with, Before I conclude this post, I want to thank my mentors. It adds a touch of class and intentionality that a simple "Thanks" just doesn't capture. It’s also very common in podcasts when the host is about to play the outro music.

You should reach for this phrase whenever you are in a structured speaking situation. If you are giving a PowerPoint presentation at work, it’s a must-have. If you are defending your thesis in front of a panel of professors, it shows you know how to handle academic discourse. It is also great for 'public' social situations, like giving a toast at a birthday dinner or a retirement party. Basically, any time you have been talking for more than two minutes and want to signal the end is coming, this is your best friend. It’s also useful in written reports. If you have a long 'Conclusion' section, starting the final paragraph with Before I conclude can help emphasize your ultimate recommendation. It’s like the 'Save' button for your audience's attention span.

Do not use this in a fast-paced, casual conversation. If you are telling a friend about your weekend, saying Before I conclude, the pizza was great will make you sound like a robot. It’s too heavy for light chat. Also, avoid using it if you have already used a similar signpost like "Finally" or "Lastly" just a few seconds ago. It becomes repetitive and loses its impact. Most importantly, do not use it if you are not actually concluding. If you say Before I conclude and then proceed to open a new five-minute topic, your audience will feel betrayed. It’s a promise of an ending, so don't break that promise! Also, it’s a bit much for a quick text message. If you’re just saying bye on Tinder or Bumble, stay casual; don’t treat it like a corporate keynote.

A very common slip-up is getting the grammar slightly wrong. Learners often say ✗ Before I concluding or ✗ Before to conclude. Remember, it is always Before I conclude or Before concluding. Another mistake is the "false ending." This is when a speaker says the phrase, concludes, and then remembers three more things they wanted to say. Once you’ve used your "conclude card," you’re done! Don't go back. Some people also try to make it even more formal by saying ✗ Before I will conclude, but that sounds clunky and unnatural. Stick to the simple present tense. Lastly, don't use it in a one-sentence email. If the email is only two lines long, there is nothing to "conclude"—you just finish it!

While Before I conclude is the classic version, you have a few other tools in your belt. Before I wrap up is the slightly more modern, cooler cousin. It works great in tech startups or casual office meetings. In closing is a bit more traditional and often heard in legal or very formal settings. If you want something shorter, Finally or Lastly work well, though they don't have the same "refocusing" power. In the UK, you might hear Before I finish, which is a bit more direct. On social media, you’ll often see TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read) used as a way to conclude a long post, though that's much more informal. If you're feeling fancy, you could say To bring this to a close, but honestly, the original is usually the best.

Is this phrase only for speaking? Not at all! While it's most common in speeches, you can use it in formal essays, long emails, or even detailed blog posts. It helps guide the reader's eye to your final point. Is it okay to use it in a job interview? Yes! In fact, it's a great way to summarize your strengths at the end of an answer. It shows you are articulate and professional. Can I say "Before I'm concluding"? No, that sounds very strange to a native speaker. Use the simple Before I conclude. Is it too formal for a WhatsApp message? Generally, yes. It might come across as a bit sarcastic or overly stiff unless you're intentionally being funny with your friends. What's the difference between this and "In conclusion"? Before I conclude is the step *before* the actual conclusion. "In conclusion" is usually the very first words of your final summary. Before I conclude is the transition that gets you there.