a preliminary discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial conversation or meeting intended to explore a topic or issue before making decisions or taking further action. Example: "Before we finalize the project details, let's have a preliminary discussion to address any concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

A Preliminary Discussion.

Stanford University

"It is definitely not a preliminary discussion.

The New York Times

We had a preliminary discussion on methodology of design.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And while this specific situation was hardly a preliminary discussion, significant ambiguities remained.

The New York Times

A week later, Sokol calls Hambrick and has a preliminary discussion about a possible deal.

The New York Times

In this article, we provide a preliminary discussion on the emerging phenomenon of micromultinationals (mMNEs).

European Management Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"We had a good preliminary discussion," she recalled Monday.

The New York Times

These projects were inspired chiefly by a 1946 document, "Preliminary Discussion of the Logical Design of an Electronic Digital Computing Instrument," produced by a group working under the direction of mathematician John von Neumann of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're still doing a lot of preliminary discussion".

Huffington Post

On the basis of the preliminary discussion, a new apparatus is designed and fabricated for the perpendicular-field loss measurements of superconducting tapes.

Physica C: Superconductivity

The preliminary discussion outlines a multi-sheet rink, options to include stadium seating and public access.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting meetings or project planning, "a preliminary discussion" is useful for setting expectations that the ideas presented are subject to change.

Common error

Avoid using "a preliminary discussion" as a synonym for a comprehensive analysis. It indicates a starting point, not an exhaustive investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely recognized and grammatically sound, indicating an initial exploration of a topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary discussion" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an initial exploration of a topic. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals that it functions to introduce ideas before decisions are made, and it's used across a variety of registers, from news and media to scientific and academic contexts. While versatile, it's important to remember that this phrase indicates an early stage of exploration, not a comprehensive analysis. Consider alternatives like "initial discussion" or "exploratory conversation" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial discussion

Replaces "preliminary" with "initial", emphasizing the starting point of the discussion.

an introductory discussion

Substitutes "preliminary" with "introductory", highlighting the role of the discussion as an introduction to a topic.

a preparatory discussion

Changes "preliminary" to "preparatory", focusing on the discussion's function in preparing for something else.

a kickoff discussion

Uses "kickoff" to replace "preliminary", suggesting the start or beginning of a series of discussions.

a trial run discussion

Employs "trial run" instead of "preliminary", indicating a test or practice discussion.

a first meeting

Replaces the term discussion with a meeting to represent the initial gathering

an exploratory conversation

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation" and "preliminary" with "exploratory", highlighting the investigatory nature of the exchange.

a basic exchange

Replaces "preliminary discussion" with "basic exchange", suggesting a fundamental or simple level of communication.

a brief consultation

Substitutes "discussion" with "consultation" and implies it's short and serves to offer advice

a surface-level discussion

Suggests the discussion did not go into deep detail.

FAQs

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

You might say, "We had "a preliminary discussion" about the budget, but no decisions were made."

What is another way to say "a preliminary discussion"?

Alternatives include "an initial conversation", "an introductory discussion", or "an exploratory conversation".

Is there a difference between "a preliminary discussion" and "a final decision"?

Yes, "a preliminary discussion" is an early stage exploration, while a "final decision" is the conclusive outcome after considering all factors.

When is it appropriate to use "a preliminary discussion" in project planning?

It's appropriate to use "a preliminary discussion" to signal that the ideas discussed are subject to change as the project evolves. Using "a preparatory discussion" will help set expectations appropriately.