a preliminary plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial or draft version of a plan that is subject to further development or revision. Example: "Before we finalize the project, let's review a preliminary plan to ensure we are on the right track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The task force's report refined a preliminary plan announced two months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Gulotta has raised eyebrows with a preliminary plan that he has brought to financial meetings over the past month.

The New York Times

They are also more protective of the environment than a preliminary plan unveiled by the Obama administration last year.

The New York Times

Compare colleges that interest you, and write a preliminary plan that explains how you plan to pay for college.

The New York Times

The Kroll-O'Gara Company said yesterday that it had formed a preliminary plan to split its two main operations -- security products and investigations -- into independent publicly held corporations.

The New York Times

My Sunday box began to take shape on Wednesday, when Mr. Kinsel drew up a preliminary plan with David Camacho, his field manager since 1993.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Johnson told a preliminary planning meeting at City Hall, London, that he supported much of the Southbank Centre's plans, but not moving the skaters from their present home.

The Guardian

A preliminary planning module developed as a part of a whole CAPP system is described in this paper.

Computers in Industry

Speaking at a preliminary planning meeting at City Hall, Mr Johnson said he "wholeheartedly" supports plans to revamp the centre, but added: "Redevelopment should not be at the detriment of the skatepark, which should be retained in its current position.

BBC

This is a very preliminary plan, according to a San Francisco Port spokesperson speaking to the Chronicle, so don't expect to be able to set sail with Google on a journey of discovery tomorrow.

TechCrunch

With a few caveats, the university has mostly made its case for the extra room, that the area it owns south of Washington Square is the best place to get much of it, and that it has a good preliminary plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a preliminary plan", clearly state that it is subject to change and further development to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a preliminary plan" as a finalized strategy. Clearly communicate that it's a work in progress to avoid misunderstandings and maintain flexibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary plan" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" modifies the noun "plan". It describes the plan as being in an initial or preparatory stage. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a preliminary plan" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, used to describe an initial or draft version of a plan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to communicate the plan's tentative nature to avoid misunderstandings. Consider alternatives like "an initial plan" or "a draft plan" to further clarify the stage of development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial plan

Replaces "preliminary" with "initial", emphasizing the starting stage.

a draft plan

Uses "draft" instead of "preliminary", highlighting the unfinished nature of the plan.

a tentative plan

Substitutes "preliminary" with "tentative", suggesting the plan is subject to change.

a working plan

Replaces "preliminary" with "working", indicating the plan is in progress and being actively developed.

a provisional plan

Uses "provisional" instead of "preliminary", suggesting the plan is temporary and subject to confirmation.

a basic plan

Substitutes "preliminary" with "basic", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the plan.

a rough plan

Replaces "preliminary" with "rough", highlighting the undeveloped and potentially incomplete nature of the plan.

a first-stage plan

Uses "first-stage" to specify the plan's place in a sequence of development.

an early-stage plan

Similar to "first-stage plan", emphasizing the plan's location at the start of development.

a pilot plan

Uses "pilot" to emphasize the experimental nature of the plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary plan" to describe an early version of a project's strategy, such as: "The team developed "a preliminary plan" for the marketing campaign, which will be refined based on initial feedback."

What's a good alternative to "a preliminary plan"?

Alternatives include "an initial plan", "a draft plan", or "a tentative plan". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

How does "a preliminary plan" differ from "a final plan"?

"A preliminary plan" is an early-stage document that is subject to revision, while a final plan represents the completed and approved strategy.

Is it appropriate to share "a preliminary plan" with stakeholders?

Yes, sharing "a preliminary plan" can be beneficial for gathering feedback and ensuring alignment. However, it's crucial to clearly communicate that the plan is not yet finalized.