a preliminary design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary design" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial version or draft of a design that is subject to further development or refinement. Example: "The team presented a preliminary design for the new product, which will be reviewed in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a preliminary design has been approved, the scenic designer creates colour renderings and, sometimes, cardboard models of the designs.

Britannica

A preliminary design is reported.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

SpaceX has begun small hop tests of a preliminary design, nicknamed Starhopper.

The New York Times - Science

He created a preliminary design for the Space Shuttle atmospheric flight control system.

Princeton University

A preliminary design of an inflatable multifunctional shell is proposed.

Acta Astronautica

Such result could be used as a preliminary design criterion.

Renewable Energy

A preliminary design for the dike was made.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes

The project, which is not expected to be finished until 1990 or 1991, is still in a preliminary design stage.

The New York Times

One afternoon, in oma's small New York office, on Varick Street, I watched Koolhaas review a preliminary design for a theatre in Dallas.

The New Yorker

That same month, a KBR pipeline expert saw a preliminary design and advised the company "that the project would probably fail," according to the inspector general report.

The New York Times

That's the due date for a preliminary design of Freedom Tower, the first of the commercial skyscrapers scheduled to be built on the World Trade Center site.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "preliminary design", clearly state its intended purpose and scope. Outline the aspects that are well-defined and those still under consideration to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary design" as if it's a finished product. Clearly communicate that it's a work in progress and that further refinements are expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary design" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "design". It describes the stage or status of the design, indicating it is an initial version. This is consistent with Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

28%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary design" is a common and correct phrase used to describe an initial design stage across various fields. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As evidenced by the examples provided, this phrase frequently appears in science, news media, and academic contexts, denoting that a plan or model is in its early phases and subject to refinement. When using this term, clarifying its purpose and scope is advisable, and be careful not to treat it as a final version. Alternatives such as "an initial design" or "a draft design" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An initial design

Focuses on the design being at the beginning or starting point, similar to preliminary.

A draft design

Emphasizes the incomplete and evolving nature of the design, akin to preliminary.

A tentative design

Highlights the design's susceptibility to change and lack of finality, resembling preliminary.

A provisional design

Suggests the design is subject to confirmation or approval, much like preliminary.

A proposed design

Indicates that the design is put forward for consideration, similar to a preliminary offering.

A concept design

Focuses on the design's conceptual nature and early development phase, akin to preliminary.

An early-stage design

Directly refers to the design's position in the development timeline, similar to preliminary.

A blueprint sketch

Implies a rough outline or initial drawing of the design, comparable to preliminary.

A schematic design

Refers to a high-level representation of the design, similar to a preliminary overview.

A first-pass design

Highlights that the design is in its first iteration and subject to revision, alike preliminary.

FAQs

How can I use "a preliminary design" in a sentence?

You can use "a preliminary design" to describe the initial phase of a project's design, as in "The architect presented "a preliminary design" for the new building".

What's the difference between "a preliminary design" and "a final design"?

"A preliminary design" represents an early version subject to changes, whereas "a final design" is the approved and complete version ready for implementation.

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

You can use alternatives like "an initial design", "a draft design", or "a proposed design" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a preliminary design"?

It's appropriate to use "a preliminary design" when you are referring to an early-stage design that is not yet finalized and is still open to modifications and improvements.