a preliminary order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to an initial directive or decision that is subject to further review or modification. Example: "The court issued a preliminary order to halt the construction until further evidence could be presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Its biggest customer so far has been Qatar Airways, which placed a preliminary order for up to 60 planes.

The New York Times

Also Friday, prosecutors announced that Judge Chin has entered a preliminary order directing Mr. Madoff to pay just over $170 billion in forfeited assets.

The New York Times

He said he expected to sign a preliminary order in a few weeks and a firm order at the Paris Air Show in June.

The New York Times

The American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal court in New York for a preliminary order to stop the administration from banning a prominent Swiss Muslim scholar from speaking in the United States.

The New York Times

The Boeing Company won a preliminary order for 5 of its 787's, worth $600 million, from Ethiopian Airlines and an order from the Japan Airlines Corporation for 30 of its 737's, worth $1.5 billion, the companies said yesterday.

The New York Times

Justice Lucindo Suarez of State Supreme Court in Manhattan, who is hearing the constitutional challenge, has issued a preliminary order that the rates be increased to $90 for both in-court and out-of-court work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Thus, the map provides an unbiased representation of the loblolly pine gene set that can be used for studies that benefit from a preliminary ordering of the genes until a reference genome sequence of reasonable quality becomes available.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

While the government had appealed, it did not seek a stay of her preliminary order, which lacked the more expansive language.

The New York Times

A decree nisi is a preliminary divorce order which could be finalised within weeks if neither side objects.

BBC

(Last week, after the section had gone to press, the filmmaker Spike Lee won a preliminary court order blocking the name change).

The New York Times

Rarely have neutrinos -- subatomic waifs that usually stream unencumbered through trees, people and the rest of the universe -- fomented public protests, a lawsuit and a preliminary restraining order.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary order" in legal contexts, ensure you clarify the scope and duration of the order to avoid ambiguity. State clearly what actions are required or prohibited and for how long.

Common error

Avoid treating "a preliminary order" as a final judgment. It is subject to change or reversal, so don't rely on it as if it were a definitive decision. Always be prepared for further proceedings or modifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary order" functions as a noun phrase. It refers to an initial or temporary directive or instruction, often in a legal or formal setting. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, including court rulings and business agreements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary order" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It denotes an initial directive, particularly within legal and formal domains. While its function is to communicate an interim decision that might be altered later, it shouldn't be mistaken for a final judgment. For alternative phrasing, consider "an initial directive" or "a temporary injunction" depending on the context. Ultimately, the phrase is more frequent in news and scientific media and carries a formal tone. Use it with precision to avoid confusion between temporary arrangements and definitive outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial directive

Focuses on the directive aspect, highlighting the order's role as a direction or instruction that is given at the beginning.

a temporary injunction

Specifically refers to a temporary legal order, adding a legal context.

an interim ruling

Implies a decision made during a process, emphasizing its provisional nature.

a provisional arrangement

Highlights the arrangement aspect, indicating something agreed upon for the time being.

a tentative agreement

Emphasizes the agreement being not yet finalized or confirmed.

a working draft

Focuses on the draft aspect, suggesting a version still in development or subject to change.

a pre-emptive mandate

This variation is more assertive, suggesting an order intended to prevent something from happening.

a pilot scheme

Suggests a trial run before a full implementation, less about legal orders and more about experimental projects.

a draft resolution

Specifically used in formal settings like committees, councils, or governing bodies; indicates an initial version of a resolution.

a baseline requirement

Suggests a starting point or minimum standard, shifting the focus to foundational criteria rather than a directive.

FAQs

How is "a preliminary order" different from a final order?

A "preliminary order" is temporary and subject to change, intended to maintain the status quo until a final decision is made. A final order is a conclusive ruling that resolves all issues in a case.

When might a court issue "a preliminary order"?

Courts often issue "a preliminary order" to prevent irreparable harm or maintain the current situation while legal proceedings are ongoing. For example, a preliminary injunction might halt construction until a dispute is resolved.

What's another way to say "a preliminary order"?

You can use alternatives like "an initial directive" or "a temporary injunction", depending on the context.

Can "a preliminary order" be appealed?

Yes, "a preliminary order" can often be appealed, although the specific rules and procedures for appealing such an order may vary depending on the jurisdiction.