a preliminary list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an initial or draft version of a list that may be subject to change or further development. Example: "Before we finalize the project, let's review a preliminary list of tasks that need to be completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

According to Obama Administration insiders (and knowledgeable outsiders), here is a preliminary list of possibilities.

The New Yorker

[The New York Observer] A preliminary list of events of how that cash will be spent.

The New York Times

Mr. Paterson was not on a preliminary list of convention speakers that Democrats released last week.

The New York Times

By Sunday evening, the authorities had released a preliminary list of the dead.

The New York Times

But a preliminary list of qualifiers did not include the team, according to The Associated Press.

The New York Times

Mr. Williams said the board was scheduled to be presented with a preliminary list of names in a few weeks.

The New York Times

Keeping the student's transcript and test scores in mind, Ms. Mitchell works towards a preliminary list of 20 colleges.

The New York Times

Who is deemed essential will be determined by the White House Office of Management and Budget, which has published a preliminary list here.

The Guardian

A preliminary list of the gala's organizers was mailed to other Republican Party members last month in hopes of attracting more large donors.

The New York Times

· The booklet, An Introduction to Occupations: A Preliminary List, by Joyce Culling (2nd edition, FFHS, 1999) outlines various sources that can be used to discover evidence of occupation.

The Guardian

At the back of the compound, two workers from the education department were going through the school's attendance records, trying to build a preliminary list of the missing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a preliminary list" with a specific timeframe for when a final version will be available to provide clarity and accountability.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary list" as definitive. Always verify its contents and confirm that it's been updated before making critical decisions based on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary list" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It indicates an initial, draft version of a collection of items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary list" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a non-final, draft version of a list. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. Remember to explicitly state the provisional nature of the list and to indicate when a final version will be available. Alternatives such as "an initial inventory" or "a draft compilation" can be used to add nuance. Avoid treating it as a definitive source until it has been finalized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial inventory

Replaces "list" with "inventory", focusing on an itemized collection at the beginning stage.

a tentative catalog

Uses "catalog" instead of "list", implying a more organized or structured collection; "tentative" emphasizes the provisional nature.

a draft compilation

Replaces both "preliminary" and "list" with "draft" and "compilation", highlighting the unfinished and gathered nature of the information.

a provisional agenda

Substitutes "list" with "agenda", suggesting a planned set of items or topics, while "provisional" mirrors "preliminary".

a working document

Replaces "list" to emphasize a document that is currently being developed and is subject to change.

an early rundown

Uses "rundown" in place of "list", indicating a summary or overview provided at an early stage.

a first draft

Focuses on the 'first version' aspect, rather than a collection of items.

a precursory summary

Emphasizes the abridged and initial nature of the information provided.

a primary register

Uses "register" instead of "list", focusing on a formal recording or listing, while "primary" is similar to "preliminary".

a pilot directory

Employs "directory" instead of "list", implying an organized collection of items, with "pilot" indicating an experimental or initial phase.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary list" to introduce an initial, non-final compilation, as in "Here is "a preliminary list" of attendees for the conference."

What's a good alternative to saying "a preliminary list"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an initial inventory", "a tentative catalog", or "a draft compilation".

What does "preliminary" mean in the context of "a preliminary list"?

In this context, "preliminary" means introductory or preparatory, indicating that the list is subject to revision and not yet in its final form.

Is it always necessary to use "a preliminary list", or can I just say "list"?

While you can simply say "list", using "a preliminary list" emphasizes that the list is not final and may be subject to changes. This provides transparency and manages expectations.