a preliminary analysis

USAGE SUMMARY

"a preliminary analysis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a preliminary look at a situation or data before more in-depth analysis is conducted. Example sentence: We conducted a preliminary analysis of the data to identify key trends.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preliminary analysis by the Food and Drug Administration indicated they contained water, federal prosecutors said.

The New York Times

A preliminary analysis by Boomerang and other experiments first revealed that flatness last fall.

The New York Times

In 2006, Wrap published a preliminary analysis of a different set of materials.

The Guardian

It will also offer a preliminary analysis of the "causes and contexts" of the scandals.

The New York Times

The president's jobs figure was based on a preliminary analysis by Macroeconomic Advisers, of St . Louis

The New York Times

A preliminary analysis of a sample taken from the truck used to refuel the plane found no problem.

The New York Times

A preliminary analysis by the State of Alabama estimated the total obligation for providing retiree health insurance at $11 billion.

The New York Times

For a preliminary analysis, see Street 2005.

SEP

Let us now perform a preliminary analysis.

Boundary Value Problems

Total of 15 parameters are examined as a preliminary analysis.

Applied Water Science

Section 4 proposes a preliminary analysis of gIF model dynamics.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a preliminary analysis" to introduce a more in-depth study. This frames the initial analysis as a stepping stone, rather than a complete investigation.

Common error

Avoid presenting the findings of "a preliminary analysis" as conclusive or definitive. Emphasize that further investigation is needed to confirm initial observations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary analysis" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe an initial examination or assessment before more detailed work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary analysis" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes an initial assessment or investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to introduce early-stage work, often in scientific, news, or formal business contexts. It's crucial to avoid overstating its significance and recognize it as a precursor to more in-depth studies. Alternatives like "an initial assessment" or "a scoping study" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial assessment

Focuses on evaluation and judgment rather than detailed examination.

a scoping study

Implies a broad overview to define the scope of further investigation.

an early evaluation

Highlights the timing and evaluative nature of the analysis.

a surface-level examination

Emphasizes the lack of depth in the analysis.

a quick review

Suggests a fast and less thorough assessment.

a cursory investigation

Implies a brief and often superficial examination.

a first look

Emphasizes the novelty and initial nature of the examination.

a pilot study

Refers to a small-scale study conducted before a larger one.

a diagnostic check

Highlights the identification and investigation of an issue.

a feasibility study

Focuses on assessing the practicality and viability of a project.

FAQs

How to use "a preliminary analysis" in a sentence?

"A preliminary analysis" is used to describe an initial assessment or investigation. For example, "A preliminary analysis of the data suggests a correlation between the two variables."

What can I say instead of "a preliminary analysis"?

You can use alternatives like "an initial assessment", "a scoping study", or "an early evaluation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a preliminary analysis" or "a final analysis"?

"A preliminary analysis" refers to an initial, not final, assessment. "A final analysis" suggests the assessment is complete and conclusive.

What's the difference between "a preliminary analysis" and "a detailed analysis"?

"A preliminary analysis" is a surface-level look, while a "detailed analysis" involves a thorough and comprehensive examination of the subject.