a preliminary vote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary vote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial vote that is taken to gauge support or make a decision before a final vote is conducted. Example: "The committee held a preliminary vote to determine if the proposal would move forward to the next stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In most years, there is little drama inherent in the board's final vote, because it rarely deviates from a preliminary vote a month earlier.

The New York Times

A preliminary vote is expected on Tuesday.

The New York Times

The measure passed a preliminary vote and will go to a committee for review.

The New York Times

The commission agreed and, in a preliminary vote, unanimously rejected the proposal.

The New York Times

12 06 p.m., Tuesday | Updated A preliminary vote on the draft legislation was postponed on Tuesday without explanation.

The New York Times

Still, the outcome on Wednesday is uncertain; a preliminary vote last year was won by a majority of only eight.

The New York Times

It swept a preliminary vote in the 120-seat Parliament in February with 58 in favor and 11 against.

The New York Times

In a preliminary vote, the first of two required by law, the City Council approved the proposal to recognize Rosas.

The New York Times

The board is set to take a preliminary vote on May 9, and a final vote in June.

The New York Times

The House held a preliminary vote on Tuesday evening and approved the measure largely along party lines, with 98 members for and 49 against.

The New York Times

She ran for re-election on Sept. 18, and, based on a preliminary vote count, is optimistic about securing another term.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the results of "a preliminary vote", specify whether it is a vote count or if it shows support for something.

Common error

Avoid treating the outcome of "a preliminary vote" as a definitive result. Always clarify that it's subject to change or further consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary vote" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of voting event that occurs before a final decision. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is used to describe procedural stages in legislative and electoral processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary vote" is a frequently used phrase, primarily found in news and media, to describe an initial vote taken before a final decision. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely understood. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure your audience understands that the outcome of a preliminary vote is not necessarily final and that further voting or decision-making will occur. Consider alternatives such as "an initial ballot" or "a test vote" depending on the specific context. Remember that while preliminary votes can indicate trends, they are not definitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial ballot

Replaces "vote" with a synonym emphasizing the act of casting a ballot at the beginning of a process.

a test vote

Highlights the experimental or trial nature of the vote.

a straw poll

Indicates an informal vote taken to gauge opinion.

an exploratory vote

Emphasizes the fact-finding and assessment character of the voting event.

a provisional vote

Highlights the temporary or conditional nature of the vote.

a first count

Focuses on the counting aspect of the initial voting results.

an early tally

Highlights that the vote count is happening early in the process.

a prior voting

Changes the noun phrase to a gerund, emphasizing the action of voting before the final decision.

a formative assessment vote

Adds specificity, framing the initial vote as a part of the assessment phase.

a dry run vote

Implies this vote serves primarily as a training/test for subsequent voting.

FAQs

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

"A preliminary vote" is an initial vote, often used to gauge support or test a proposal, while a final vote is the decisive vote that determines the outcome.

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

You could use phrases like "an initial ballot", "a test vote", or "a straw poll" depending on the context.

What does it mean when a measure passes "a preliminary vote"?

It means the measure has cleared the first stage of voting and will proceed to the next step, such as a committee review or a final vote. It is not yet approved.

Is the outcome of "a preliminary vote" always indicative of the final result?

No, the outcome of "a preliminary vote" is not always indicative of the final result. It's a gauge of current sentiment and can influence, but not guarantee, the final vote outcome.