I was tentatively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was tentatively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or hesitation about a decision or action. Example: "I was tentatively planning to attend the meeting, but I wasn't sure if I could make it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was tentatively assigned to write the next day's Watergate bugging story, but I was not sure I had anything.

The Guardian

Recently, a ninth genotype (I) was tentatively proposed for HBV strains detected in Laos and a tenth genotype (J) was proposed for a HBV strain detected in a Japanese HCC patient [ 8, 9].

Archives of Virology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I have a few more races after London, but I'm tentatively scheduled to head to South Sudan after the Games to see what my foundation and World Vision, a group I'm working with there, have been doing.

The New York Times

I gotta go soon!" On two occasions he even gets up and leaves the room and I'm tentatively asked if I need him to return (er, yes, that would be helpful).

The Guardian - Music

While I'm tentatively enjoying the process of monitoring my progress and my ego has been thoroughly stroked with the appreciative light show I received after 9,000 paces, I'm also starting to get a bit obsessed with it.

BBC

Projecting Women In Club Bathrooms vibes, I'm tentatively labelled "bubbly, bit mad".

Vice

I started with Fish's hawk watch last year as part of my research for a book I'm tentatively calling Citizen Scientist.

Huffington Post

Having said all that, I'm tentatively hopeful that the second half of Season 2 -- which is now entirely under the creative command of "Shield" veteran Glen Mazzara -- will be different.

Huffington Post

Yes, correct: some innovator has managed to combine the concepts of "bedroom" and "bathroom" for something I am tentatively calling a "bedathroom".

Vice

A disclaimer at the top warned that "the science of Palmistry is arbitrary," but I'm tentatively excited highlights include "a big business deal is about to unfold...to your advantage $$$$$" and making "marvelous new contacts".

Vice

(The title was changed at some point in the novel's development; in the early planning stages, it was tentatively named I Count Her Wrong. ) The Vicar of Bullhampton has been described as Trollope's most religious novel, and Frank Fenwick as his "most explicitly religious character".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was tentatively" to express a plan or decision that is subject to change or dependent on certain conditions. It's best used when you want to convey a lack of firm commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "I was tentatively" when you want to convey a firm decision or commitment. Choose stronger phrases if you are certain about your actions, such as "I was scheduled" or "I planned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was tentatively" functions as a modifier, adding a degree of uncertainty or conditionality to the action being described. As noted by Ludwig AI, the examples suggest that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was tentatively" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express uncertainty or a provisional nature to a plan or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While correct, its usage is relatively rare. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, use it carefully to express a lack of firm commitment, being mindful not to overstate certainty where it doesn't exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was provisionally

Replaces "tentatively" with "provisionally", suggesting a conditional or temporary arrangement.

I was scheduled tentatively

Reorders and emphasizes the scheduling aspect, but retains the sense of uncertainty.

I had a tentative plan to

Shifts the focus to the plan itself being tentative, rather than the speaker's action.

I was considering

Indicates contemplation, but with less commitment than "tentatively".

I was thinking about

Suggests a less formal and more exploratory consideration.

I was vaguely

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or detail in the planning.

I was initially

Highlights the starting point of a plan that might have changed.

I was exploring the idea of

Focuses on the exploratory nature of the planning.

I had a preliminary arrangement to

Uses more formal language, highlighting the initial nature of the arrangement.

I was hypothetically

Positions the action as a hypothetical scenario, rather than a firm plan.

FAQs

How can I use "I was tentatively" in a sentence?

Use "I was tentatively" when describing an action or plan you're considering, but haven't fully committed to. For example, "I was tentatively planning a vacation, but I haven't booked anything yet".

What phrases are similar to "I was tentatively"?

Alternatives include "I was provisionally", "I was considering", or "I was thinking about". Each option highlights a slightly different nuance of uncertainty or initial planning.

Is it appropriate to use "I was tentatively" in formal writing?

Yes, but sparingly. While grammatically correct, its level of uncertainty might be unsuitable for contexts requiring firm commitments. In such cases, consider rephrasing or using stronger verbs.

What's the difference between "I was tentatively" and "I was definitely"?

"I was tentatively" suggests uncertainty or a plan subject to change, while "I was definitely" indicates a firm decision or commitment. They are near opposites in meaning.