a preliminary measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial action or step taken before a more significant action or decision is made. Example: "Before implementing the new policy, we need to conduct a preliminary measure to assess its potential impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The spokesman, Ido Hadari, stressed that the vaccinations were a preliminary measure, involving those who, if Israel decided on broader measures, would be charged with administering the vaccine to others.

The New York Times

"To help stem losses as quickly as possible, and as a preliminary measure, we will be making reductions to BMI Baby's flying programme from June.

BBC

Finally, as a preliminary measure, we examined the potential of the systems studied as reworkable materials by means of hydrolytic and thermal degradation.

Polymer

We challenged EF-Tu-immunized mice with B. thailandensis as a preliminary measure of protective capacity in an in vivo test system.

Plosone

We used an iterative method to calculate a standard deviation undistorted by outliers for the purposes of establishing a preliminary measure of aberration complexity threshold.

BMC Genomics

As a preliminary measure of the binding properties, we monitored stepwise titrations of UP1 with the SL3ESS3 constructs (wild-type and mutant) via analytical size exclusion chromatography.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Previous instruments have adopted a similar approach as a preliminary step to measuring empowerment [ 23, 28, 29].

BMC Health Services Research

The DAST-10 based measures are a preliminary step towards understanding Khat dependence among chewers.

BioMed Research International

The study provides a useful preliminary measure of the importance of living arrangements and the quality of the couple relationship in chronic illness management broadly conceived as a measure of the patient's efforts at self-care and an illness status indicator.

BMC Family Practice

The third step was to develop a preliminary quantitative measure, generating an item pool from the specified domains of active aging obtained.

Clinical interventions in aging

Even so, this preliminary measure is an indication of the strong opinions that Dr. Sexton's tenure has produced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary measure", ensure the context clearly indicates that this action precedes a more significant or decisive step. This clarifies the purpose and importance of the initial action.

Common error

Avoid treating "a preliminary measure" as a complete solution. Always emphasize that it's a starting point and further actions are necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary measure" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or step taken as an initial approach before more substantial actions are implemented. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary measure" is a noun phrase used to describe an initial action or step taken before a more significant action or decision. Ludwig AI affirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, science, and business contexts, indicating a formal or planned approach. Remember that "a preliminary measure" is not a complete solution but a starting point, and avoid redundancies like "preliminary initial measure". Alternatives such as "an initial step" or "a preparatory action" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial step

Emphasizes the start of a process, differing from "a preliminary measure" by focusing on the commencement aspect.

a preparatory action

Highlights the action taken to prepare for something, slightly more active than "a preliminary measure".

a first step

Similar to "an initial step" but uses simpler wording.

a tentative action

Suggests the action is not fully decided or confirmed, adding a layer of uncertainty.

a provisional step

Implies the step is temporary or subject to change, adding a conditional aspect.

a pilot action

Suggests the action is a test run before a full implementation, indicating an experimental phase.

an exploratory step

Focuses on the investigative nature of the action, differing by emphasizing discovery.

a diagnostic step

Highlights the purpose of identifying a problem or situation, adding a problem-solving focus.

a trial run

Informal way of saying a test before implementing something.

a dry run

Informal way of saying a practice run before an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary measure" to describe an initial action taken before a more significant decision or action. For example, "As a preliminary measure, we conducted a survey to gauge public opinion".

What are some alternatives to "a preliminary measure"?

Alternatives include "an initial step", "a preparatory action", or "a first step", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a preliminary initial measure"?

Yes, saying "a preliminary initial measure" is redundant. The words "preliminary" and "initial" have similar meanings, so using both together is unnecessary. Just use either "a preliminary measure" or "an initial measure".

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

"A preliminary measure" is an action taken at the beginning of a process, intended as a first step. In contrast, "a final solution" represents the ultimate resolution to a problem, implemented after all preliminary steps are completed.