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I am trying to find an expression which would meet my needs. In the report that I am currently writing I would like to explain that I have done a certain action in order to "put more weight/power" into a conclusion.

There is an expression for this purpose in the French language (mettre du poids dans), and I know that translating an expression from a language to another nearly never works. I tried to find the solution by asking Google but I guess I am not using the correct keywords... Does anyone would have any ideas?

[EDIT]

I am actually trying to say that my action will carry more weight (thanks Rant) but I do not know how I should formulate it. I have started my sentence like this:

The investigation will also draw a timeline of activities in order to add expression to the previous arguments.

I have moved from conclusion to argument as it make more sense in the current context. How can I add an expression which means carry more weight?

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3 Answers 3

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It sounds like you just need to use words that come attached with a sense of reliability and foundation. Without some additional context, it will be hard to find the exact phrase you're looking for.

The equivalent phrase in English is, as a matter of fact, to carry weight

Your best bet will be to use the correct form of it. It's typically used to mean influential so I hope that helps

EDIT: There are a couple options here...from the sounds of things, this might be acceptable:

The investigation will also draw a timeline of activities in order to add momentum to the previous arguments.

You could also swap out momentum for weight, credibility, solidarity or you could even say in order to help the previous arguments carry more weight.

Any of those I think will get the job done.

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  • Thanks for the help, I've put more context in my question.
    – Flanfl
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 10:56
  • +1 credibility. Also justification, emphasis. Or to support, reinforce the argument.
    – StuartLC
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 12:16
  • I really don't think you can add momentum to an argument.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 15:26
  • Momentum does sound a little strange in this context upon review. I was thinking of it alongside the words like draw a timeline.
    – Rant
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 22:30
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You can certainly do something to add weight to an argument in English. It would seem a little odd to add weight to a conclusion in any language because a conclusion can’t do any more than, well, conclude. It’s difficult to advise further without knowing the broader context.

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  • I agree it is difficult to advise without further contextual knowledge, but weight can be added to conclusions as well as arguments.
    – Rant
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 10:10
  • Agreed it sounds odd to add weight to a conclusion. I think the normal phrasing would be add weight to a concluding argument.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 15:20
  • ...but I could certainly say something reinforces my conclusion.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 15:23
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A proper word for the job is substantiate, "1. to verify something by supplying evidence; to corroborate or authenticate. 2. to give material form or substance to something; to embody."

For example: "To substantiate previous arguments, the investigation will include a timeline of activities."

Relevant synonyms of substantiate include corroborate, demonstrate, establish, strengthen, support, sustain, validate. Corroborate, for instance, means "To confirm, strengthen or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch."

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  • Thanks for the input! I think the synonyms are better for me. I do not remember reading any technical papers with substantiate in it. Moreover, as my English is quite poor, it would look out of place in my report :)
    – Flanfl
    Commented Dec 4, 2011 at 16:56

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