a preliminary run

USAGE SUMMARY

'a preliminary run' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an initial test or trial of something. For example, "We conducted a preliminary run of the experiment to make sure the parameters were right before we conducted the full experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

One night in October, when "Dinner With Friends" had a preliminary run in Stamford, Alan Arkin, who lives in Weston, was in the audience.

The New York Times

We had thought about giving him a preliminary run over hurdles to blow the cobwebs away, but in the end decided not to risk it.

Independent

The death of Georgian luge driver Nodar Kumaritashvili during a preliminary run caused Olympic organizers to shorten the runs by changing the starting locations of all luge events; men's doubles and women's singles events started at the junior push-off site.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Update: Those original numbers were based on a preliminary run.

TechCrunch

A range of allowed parameter values for the SVM were chosen based on a preliminary run: values for C from 1 to 31 inclusive in steps of 2, and values of ε from 0.01 to 1.61 inclusive in steps of 0.1.

Chemistry Central Journal

Personally, after playing the field a little in a preliminary run on preview code, my "complete" game saw my Geralt stay faithful to Yennefer, the dark-haired sorceress who Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of the fantasy books that inspired the Witcher video games, wrote as his long est -term partner.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Austin Healey, for example, had a preliminary run-out last weekend, Henry Paul was once again the star of the show in England's latest success at the Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday, and Iain Balshaw is within three weeks of his return.

The Guardian - Sport

After a preliminary run-through, the animator takes photos of the characters in the main poses of the shot.

Vice

After manual evaluation of a preliminary test run, we determined a P-value cut-off level of 0.005 (data not shown).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Each participant completed a single preliminary run of trials.

Plosone

Second, the sedimentation time is very critical and should be established in a few preliminary runs.

Biological Procedures Online

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a preliminary run" to describe an initial test or trial intended to identify potential issues or refine parameters before a main event or experiment. Ensure the context makes it clear that this is not the final or definitive execution.

Common error

Avoid presenting results from "a preliminary run" as conclusive findings. Always clarify that it's an initial test, and further, more rigorous testing is needed to confirm the results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary run" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig examples show, it often refers to an initial test or trial conducted before a main event or experiment to refine parameters or identify potential issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary run" is a noun phrase referring to an initial test or trial, often conducted to refine parameters or identify potential issues before a main event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for use in written English. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies that it's an initial test, not a final result. Semantically related alternatives include "a trial test" and "a pilot test", offering similar meanings with slight nuances. Avoid confusing results from "a preliminary run" with conclusive findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trial test

Replaces 'preliminary run' with a simpler term for an initial assessment.

an initial trial

Emphasizes the 'first' aspect of the test or experiment.

a pilot test

Suggests a small-scale test to evaluate feasibility.

a practice attempt

Highlights the 'practice' nature of the trial.

a dry run

Implies a rehearsal without the real resources or stakes.

a test phase

Focuses on the 'testing' stage of a process.

a preparatory stage

Highlights the preparatory aspect rather than the act of running.

an experimental trial

Suggests a trial focused on collecting data and observing results.

a pre-test exercise

Emphasizes the 'before the actual test' aspect.

a benchmark trial

Replaces 'preliminary run' with an assessment against set standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary run" to describe an initial test or trial. For example, "The team conducted "a preliminary run" of the software to identify any bugs before the official launch."

What's the difference between "a preliminary run" and "a trial run"?

"A trial run" generally refers to a test to see if something works, while "a preliminary run" often suggests a test to refine settings or identify problems before a more formal test or launch.

What are some alternatives to "a preliminary run"?

Alternatives include "a trial test", "an initial trial", or "a pilot test", depending on the specific context and purpose of the initial test.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a preliminary run"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you're describing an initial test in fields like software development, scientific experimentation, sports training, or any situation where initial testing helps refine processes or identify potential problems.