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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a preliminary testing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary testing" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "preliminary testing" without the article "a." Example: "We conducted preliminary testing to assess the viability of the new product."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Develop a Preliminary Testing Plan Many high schools across the country will offer the PSAT free-of-charge to juniors.

News & Media

The New York Times

Subjects will go through a screening to provide information about themselves and then they will undergo a preliminary testing, which will entail problem solving at a computer.

News & Media

The New York Times

A preliminary testing for the actuator was performed which proves the benefit of using beam actuators to obtain longer amplified linear displacements.

In this paper, a preliminary testing program is proposed to test and validate the helium-cooled lithium lead breeder blanket concept in the ITER machine.

An ultimate pressure of 3×10−7 Pa and a pumping speed better than that of a comparable ion pump were reached during a preliminary testing of pumping properties.

Science

Cryogenics

Although this novel idea of exploiting these diamond micro-crystallites/arrays as customised cutting tools is at a preliminary testing stage, the paper concludes by giving directions in developing highly engineered (micro) tooling solutions for niche applications.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The vote was only a preliminary test of strength.

News & Media

The New York Times

In a preliminary test, a eucalyptus repellent worked for about two hours.

News & Media

The New York Times

The powder tested positive for anthrax in a preliminary test, a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said.

News & Media

The New York Times

The regional health department, however, said a preliminary test had failed to locate the bacterium that causes the disease.

News & Media

The Guardian

A second cow tested positive on a preliminary test on Wednesday, and the department is still waiting for the results of its second test, called an immunohistochemistry test.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to initial testing phases, use "preliminary testing" without the article "a". For example, say "preliminary testing revealed several issues", not "a preliminary testing revealed several issues".

Common error

A common mistake is including the indefinite article "a" before "preliminary testing". Since "testing" functions as a non-count noun in this context, the article is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. Always use "preliminary testing" instead of "a preliminary testing".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary testing" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe an initial phase of testing. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect due to the unnecessary use of the article 'a' before 'preliminary testing'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a preliminary testing" is used, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "preliminary testing" without the article. The phrase aims to describe the initial phase of a testing process and is found in scientific and news contexts. For grammatically sound alternatives, consider /s/initial+testing or /s/early-stage+testing. Remember to avoid using "a" before "preliminary testing" in your writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a preliminary testing"?

The correct way to phrase it is /s/preliminary+testing without the article "a". Preliminary testing refers to the initial phase of testing something.

Can I use "initial testing" instead of "a preliminary testing"?

Yes, you can use /s/initial+testing as a substitute. It carries a similar meaning and is grammatically correct.

What does "preliminary testing" mean?

"Preliminary testing" refers to the initial or /s/early-stage+testing conducted to evaluate something's feasibility, identify potential issues, or gather initial data.

Is "a preliminary test" the same as "a preliminary testing"?

No, "a preliminary test" is grammatically correct and refers to a single instance of a test, while "a preliminary testing" is generally considered incorrect. Use "preliminary testing" instead.

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Real-world application tested

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