a provisional decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a provisional decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that is temporary or subject to change pending further information or confirmation. Example: "The committee reached a provisional decision regarding the funding allocation, which will be finalized after the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But that's a provisional decision.

The New Yorker

That is because of a provisional decision by the European Court on January 31st, which ruled bilateral deals illegal.

The Economist

The Ofcom inquiry will feed into the trust's own investigations with a provisional decision expected as early as April or May.

The Guardian

It is understood that after gathering further evidence from McLaren and giving the Russian Paralympic Committee the opportunity to make its case, a provisional decision has been made.

The Guardian - Sport

Global Radio's £70m deal to buy Smooth Radio parent GMG Radio could lead to higher prices for advertisers in seven areas of the UK, the Competition Commission has ruled in a provisional decision.

The Guardian

The next stage in the process will be to publish a provisional decision, on which there will be a further opportunity for people to comment, and we hope to do that in the coming weeks".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

A 23-page provisional decision paper from the competition commission in Brussels said Amazon EU Sarl, the group's Luxembourg trading hub sales of €13.6bn (£10.3bn) in 2013, had been paying inflated royalty fees to another Amazon entity.

The Guardian - Tech

The CC is opening a consultation on its provisional decision, which will run until 6 March, with a deadline for submissions on the possible remedies to be submitted by 27 February.

The Guardian

It may be that Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel's rightwing prime minister, was unaware in advance of the provisional decision by a Jerusalem district planning committee, as he claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bauer Media, the UK's second largest commercial radio company, had opposed the Global/GMG deal and issued a statement saying: "Bauer Media UK recognises the importance and significance of today's provisional decision announced by the Competition Commission.

The Guardian

On February 27th the European Union confirmed its provisional decision to cut the size of its peacekeeping force.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a provisional decision" when you want to communicate that a decision has been made but is subject to further review or revision. This is common in legal, business, and regulatory contexts.

Common error

Avoid treating "a provisional decision" as a final one. Always clarify the conditions under which the decision might change and the process for making it permanent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a provisional decision" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a decision which is temporary or subject to change. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase implies that the decision is not yet final.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a provisional decision" refers to a temporary decision that is subject to change, commonly used across various contexts including news, science, and formal business. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and signals that a final resolution has not yet been reached. The phrase’s prevalence in reputable sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times emphasizes its appropriate use in formal communication, but it's critical to manage expectations and make it clear that additional steps are needed to make it permanent. Alternatives like "a tentative decision" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tentative decision

Replaces "provisional" with "tentative", emphasizing the uncertain and unconfirmed nature of the decision.

a preliminary ruling

Substitutes "decision" with "ruling", often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate an initial judgment.

a temporary resolution

Replaces "decision" with "resolution", suggesting a short-term solution or agreement.

an interim agreement

Changes "decision" to "agreement", implying a consensus that is not yet permanent.

a conditional determination

Uses "conditional" instead of "provisional", highlighting that the decision depends on certain conditions being met.

a subject-to-change verdict

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the possibility of alteration in the future.

a revocable judgment

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment" and "provisional" with "revocable", stressing that the decision can be taken back.

an unsettled conclusion

Replaces "decision" with "conclusion" and uses "unsettled" to indicate lack of finality.

a planning decision in principle

Emphasizes the intention and agreement on the main aspects of a decision, which is to be formalized at later stages.

a non-binding agreement

Changes "decision" to "agreement" and adds "non-binding" to make clear that this is just an intention.

FAQs

How is "a provisional decision" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "a provisional decision" often refers to a court's initial ruling that is subject to appeal or further review. It's not the final word, but it sets a temporary course of action until a final "definitive judgment" is reached.

What's the difference between "a provisional decision" and "a final decision"?

"A provisional decision" is temporary and can be altered, whereas "a final decision" is the conclusive resolution. The provisional one might be a "temporary measure" while awaiting more information.

Can I use "a tentative decision" instead of "a provisional decision"?

Yes, "a tentative decision" is a good alternative to "a provisional decision". Both imply that the decision is not yet firm and is subject to change. However, "provisional" may carry a slightly more formal tone.

When is it appropriate to announce "a provisional decision"?

Announce "a provisional decision" when transparency is needed, but the decision-making process isn't complete. This informs stakeholders of progress while managing expectations that the outcome might evolve. Just make sure that you do not create an expectation of immutability until it's a "settled matter".