Cool MateConclude vs Settle
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Conclude
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Settle
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Settle
| Conclude | Settle | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈkluːd//🇺🇸 //kənˈklud// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsetl/","/ˈsetlz/","/ˈsetld/","/ˈsetlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsetl/","/ˈsetlz/","/ˈsetld/","/ˈsetlɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To finish or decide something. | To make a decision or to end a disagreement. |
| Example | We can now conclude the meeting after discussing all the agenda items. | After a long day at work, I just want to settle on the couch and relax. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | conclude an argument, conclude a meeting, conclude a study, conclude a session, conclude a report | amicably, peacefully, eventually, attempt to, try to, agree to, for, on, with, an attempt to settle something, permanently, eventually, finally, decide to, intend to, be densely settled, be sparsely settled, be ready to settle down, permanently, eventually, finally, decide to, intend to, be densely settled, be sparsely settled, be ready to settle down, comfortably, happily, peacefully, be unable to, cannot, allow somebody to, settle down to do something, comfortably, happily, peacefully, be unable to, cannot, allow somebody to, settle down to do something |
| Antonyms | begin, start, open | disagree, disrupt, unsettle |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'include'; they have different meanings., Using 'conclude' without an object ('conclude' needs something to be concluded)., Incorrectly using past forms (e.g., 'concluded' when still discussing ongoing events). | Confusing 'settle' with 'settle down' which means to start a family., Using 'settle' without an object when it needs one., Confusing the past tense forms 'settled' and 'setled'. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Avoid in informal conversations; prefer 'wrap up' or 'finish'. | Use 'settle' when talking about resolving issues or moving to a place. It's appropriate in both casual and professional contexts. Avoid it in highly formal writing. |
Frequently asked questions: Conclude vs Settle
What's the difference between Conclude and Settle?
Conclude: To finish or decide something. Settle: To make a decision or to end a disagreement.
Which is more common: Conclude and Settle?
Settle is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Conclude and Settle?
Settle is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Conclude and Settle the same CEFR level?
Conclude: B1, Settle: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Conclude and Settle?
Conclude: verb, Settle: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Conclude: We can now conclude the meeting after discussing all the agenda items. Settle: After a long day at work, I just want to settle on the couch and relax.
Can I use Conclude and Settle interchangeably?
Not always. Conclude and Settle are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.