Identifying Intermediate Conclusions

Intermediate conclusions — also called sub-conclusions — are one of the most tested and most misunderstood elements in LNAT passages. They sit between premises and the main conclusion, functioning as stepping stones in the argument. Understanding them is essential because LNAT questions frequently require you to distinguish a sub-conclusion from the main conclusion, or to identify which role a particular claim plays in the argument.

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What Is an Intermediate Conclusion?

An intermediate conclusion is a claim that:

1. Is supported by one or more premises (making it a conclusion of a sub-argument)
2. Itself supports the main conclusion (making it function as a premise for the overall argument)

This dual role is what makes intermediate conclusions distinctive — and confusing. The same claim is simultaneously a conclusion (of the sub-argument) and a premise (of the main argument).

Formal Definition: An intermediate conclusion is a claim that appears in a chain of reasoning between the initial premises and the final conclusion. It is derived from earlier claims and used to derive later claims.

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Why Intermediate Conclusions Matter for the LNAT

LNAT questions test intermediate conclusions in several ways: