a preliminary list of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary list of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an initial or draft compilation of items or information that may be subject to change or further development. Example: "We have created a preliminary list of potential candidates for the job opening."

✓ 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

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

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

The estimates were included in a preliminary list of payments the officials hope to receive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The New York Times

The area is near several schools, and at least five of those killed were students, according to a preliminary list of the dead provided by police.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary list of", clearly indicate when a finalized version will be available to manage expectations and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid treating "a preliminary list of" as exhaustive. Always emphasize its provisional nature to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that users know further additions or changes are possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary list of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically introducing a noun phrase that represents an initial compilation of items or information. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a preliminary list of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce an initial compilation of items or information that is subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's essential to manage expectations by clearly indicating the provisional nature of the list and when a finalized version will be available. Alternatives include "an initial list of" or "a draft list of", depending on the specific context. Remember that while "a preliminary list of" is informative, it should not be treated as a complete or exhaustive resource.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial catalog of

Replaces "list" with "catalog", implying a more structured and detailed compilation, slightly more formal.

a draft inventory of

Uses "inventory" instead of "list", suggesting a comprehensive enumeration of items, suitable when referring to tangible goods or assets.

a tentative compilation of

Substitutes "preliminary" with "tentative" and "list" with "compilation", emphasizing the provisional and assembled nature of the information.

a working record of

Replaces "preliminary list" with "working record", implying a document that is still in progress and subject to changes.

an early register of

Uses "register" instead of "list", suggesting a formal and systematic record, slightly more formal than "list".

a provisional summary of

Replaces "preliminary" with "provisional" and "list" with "summary", indicating a condensed overview subject to revision.

a speculative enumeration of

Emphasizes the uncertainty and hypothetical nature of the list, suitable when the items are based on assumptions or predictions.

a checklist under development for

Presents the "list" as a "checklist", implying a tool for verification or completion, and specifies that it is still being developed.

a first-cut selection of

Uses business terminology to describe the first filtering on a selection of items.

a precursory index of

Replaces "list" with "index", implying an ordered arrangement for reference, and "preliminary" with "precursory", indicating an introductory or preparatory nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary list of" to introduce an initial compilation of items or information that is subject to change. For example, "Here's "a preliminary list of" attendees for the conference."

What is the difference between "a preliminary list of" and "a final list of"?

"A preliminary list of" indicates an initial, incomplete compilation, whereas "a final list of" represents a complete and definitive version.

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

Alternatives include "an initial list of", "a draft list of", or "a tentative compilation of", depending on the context.

Is it okay to distribute "a preliminary list of"?

Yes, but it's best practice to clearly label it as preliminary to avoid confusion and set appropriate expectations about its completeness and accuracy.