In tentative

USAGE SUMMARY

'In tentative' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
If you are looking for a phrase that means to do something tentatively or cautiously, you can use 'cautiously' or 'tentatively'. For example: "She cautiously raised her hand to answer the question."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Pakistani officials say they want to undertake the offensive when they choose, but for American officials, looking to lock in tentative gains in Afghanistan, time is of the essence.

The New York Times

Increasingly, the question before the allies is how much longer it will take in crucial provinces, like Kandahar, to lock in tentative gains and bring real security and strong government.

The New York Times

In tentative and isolating times, it is grounding to embrace an art form that is fundamentally based on collaboration.

The New York Times

In "Tentative," Mr. Tankian sings, "The bombs are falling overhead," adding: "We're going down in a spiral to the ground/ No one, no one's gonna save us now".

The New York Times

In Tentative Settlement.

Forbes

The installation plan is obtained from comparative studies of concerned information in tentative construction steps.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Skating insiders had never seen that presence before, especially in her tentative performance in the short program on Tuesday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Key research elements of the plan jibe with those outlined in a tentative accord struck in April.

Science Magazine

In 1942, the government engaged in a tentative contract with Roberts for full disclosure of the D.R. invention.

Columbia University

Finally, in 1958, they awarded Go Man Go number 82,000 in the Tentative registry.

Wikipedia

The increase agreed in the tentative contract with teachers called for a 3percentt increase in year one.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express uncertainty or a preliminary state, prefer using the adverb "tentatively" or the adjective "tentative" with appropriate prepositions like 'a tentative agreement' or 'approaching tentatively'. Avoid the phrase "in tentative" as it is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using "in tentative" to describe how an action is performed. For example, instead of saying "he approached in tentative", use "he approached "tentatively"" or "he approached in a tentative manner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in tentative" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe the state or manner of something. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a correct or usable phrase in written English. It often appears where an adverb or a more precise prepositional phrase is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in tentative" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey uncertainty or a preliminary state. Instead of using "in tentative", opt for alternatives like the adverb "tentatively", the adjective "tentative" with appropriate prepositions, or other more precise phrases such as "provisionally" or "subject to change". These alternatives provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tentatively

Adverb form, directly expressing the action is done with hesitation.

preliminary

Highlights that something is initial and may not be final.

in a tentative manner

More formal way of saying tentatively.

provisionally

Indicates something is arranged or agreed to, but may be changed later.

subject to change

Highlights the aspect of possible future modifications.

under consideration

Focuses on the evaluation process rather than a definitive status.

not yet confirmed

Emphasizes the lack of final approval or verification.

experimentally

Suggests a trial or testing phase.

as a trial

Implies something is being tested for a limited time.

on a trial basis

Similar to 'as a trial', indicating a temporary arrangement.

FAQs

What does it mean to do something in a tentative way?

Doing something in a tentative way means doing it with hesitation, uncertainty, or caution. It suggests that the action is not yet firm or fully committed. Using the adverb "tentatively" is a more grammatically correct way to express this.

Is it correct to say "in tentative agreement"?

While the phrase "in tentative agreement" appears in some contexts, it's often better to rephrase it for clarity. Consider saying "a tentative agreement" or "an agreement that is "subject to change"".

What are some alternatives to "in tentative"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "tentatively", "preliminary", "provisionally", or "subject to confirmation". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How can I use the word "tentative" correctly in a sentence?

Use "tentative" as an adjective to describe something that is uncertain or provisional. For example, "We have a tentative plan" or use it's adverb form to describe how an action is preformed "We will proceed "tentatively"".