a preliminary evaluation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a preliminary evaluation" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to an initial assessment or review of something before a more thorough evaluation is conducted. Example: "Before making any final decisions, our team conducted a preliminary evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of implementing this new strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The investigation is called a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

N.H.T.S.A. opened what it calls a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

The agency's action is called a Preliminary Evaluation.

The New York Times

The new investigation is called a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

N.H.T.S.A.'s investigation is called a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

A patient came to the E.R. where I work, and a nurse gave him a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Red Cross personnel have visited the site in the South Atlantic and carried out a preliminary evaluation, she said.

The Guardian

The investigation is at a stage known as a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

The agency last October agreed with Ms. Carvalho's concern and opened a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

The agency has yet to decide to grant the defect petition and open a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

In August 2010, the agency granted the request and began what was called a Preliminary Evaluation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary evaluation", ensure it is followed by a more thorough investigation if needed, to avoid drawing conclusions based on incomplete information.

Common error

Avoid presenting the findings of "a preliminary evaluation" as definitive results. Clearly state that the evaluation is initial and further investigation may be required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary evaluation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. It denotes the act of making an initial assessment or judgment. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the initial steps of investigations or assessments across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary evaluation" is a common phrase used to describe an initial assessment or review. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts such as science, news, and formal communications. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to remember that it represents only the first step in an evaluative process and should not be presented as a final, conclusive judgment. When writing, ensure to set expectations by clearly indicating that a more thorough evaluation may follow. Using synonyms like "an initial assessment" or "a quick appraisal" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, affirming its broad acceptability in professional discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial assessment

Focuses on the beginning stage of judging something, emphasizing the first step in understanding.

a precursory review

Highlights the brief and introductory nature of the review, suggesting a quick overview.

a quick appraisal

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the evaluation process.

a basic estimation

Highlights the foundational and uncomplicated nature of the evaluation.

a surface-level inspection

Indicates that the evaluation is not in-depth and only covers the exterior aspects.

an early determination

Stresses the timing of the evaluation, suggesting it occurs at the start of a process.

a tentative judgment

Highlights the provisional and uncertain nature of the evaluation.

a pilot study

More specific to research, indicating a small-scale study to test feasibility before a larger one.

an exploratory investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect of the evaluation, often used when seeking to uncover new information.

a first look

Offers a more informal way to describe an initial assessment.

FAQs

How is "a preliminary evaluation" typically used in a sentence?

It's often used to describe the initial stage of assessing something, as in "The agency conducted "a preliminary evaluation" of the safety concerns" before moving to more in-depth analysis.

What are some synonyms for "a preliminary evaluation"?

You can use phrases like "an initial assessment", "a precursory review", or "a quick appraisal" depending on the context and the level of detail involved.

When is it appropriate to conduct "a preliminary evaluation"?

It's suitable when you need a quick overview or initial understanding of a situation before investing more time and resources into a full-scale investigation or analysis.

What's the difference between "a preliminary evaluation" and "a thorough evaluation"?

"A preliminary evaluation" is an initial assessment meant to provide a basic understanding, while "a thorough evaluation" involves a detailed and comprehensive analysis to gain a complete understanding.