a provisional offer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a provisional offer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an offer that is temporary or subject to certain conditions being met before it becomes final. Example: "We are pleased to extend a provisional offer of employment, pending the completion of your background check."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

They'll need to call universities and colleges beforehand to discuss courses that interest them, in search of a provisional offer.

Independent

Morgan approached Redrow's board last month with a provisional offer of 152p a share, valuing the company at £562m.

The Guardian - Business

"They called this a provisional offer of employment," said Mr. Castro, who also said he had turned it down.

The New York Times

However, many teachers still reckon they need to bump up their students' potential A-level grades to ensure they are noticed and are given a provisional offer by universities.

Independent

If a student has not received an offer or has not managed to get the grades to take up a provisional offer, they should go through the Clearing system to see what is available.

Independent

Point first evaluates the finances of applicants and then makes a provisional offer.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Phase 4 (Synthesis to a modular provisional offer).

BioMed Research International

If the city decides to revoke its provisional offer based on a criminal record, applicants get to challenge the reports.

The New York Times

He had managed to cut the amount of methadone he was using by half and had a provisional job offer for when he was totally drug-free.

The Guardian

In most, but not all cases, this would involve achieving the initial A level (or equivalent) grades set as part of the conditions of the provisional offer.

British Medical Journal

It's currently unclear whether this provisional offer from CommunityBuilders will meet the council's criteria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a provisional offer", ensure that the conditions or requirements for making the offer final are clearly communicated to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "a provisional offer" when you intend to communicate a final, unconditional offer. The term "provisional" implies that the offer is subject to change or dependent on certain conditions being met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a provisional offer" functions as a noun phrase, where "provisional" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "offer". Ludwig's examples show its primary function is to describe an offer that is subject to certain conditions or is temporary in nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a provisional offer" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase, describing an offer that is conditional or temporary. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is used to communicate a commitment that is not yet final. While uncommon, the phrase is predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. When using "a provisional offer", it's important to clearly specify the conditions that must be met for the offer to become final to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a conditional proposal

Replaces "offer" with "proposal" and "provisional" with "conditional", emphasizing the dependence on specific conditions.

a tentative bid

Substitutes "offer" with "bid" and "provisional" with "tentative", suggesting a less formal and more exploratory approach.

a qualified suggestion

Changes "offer" to "suggestion" and "provisional" to "qualified", highlighting the limitations or reservations associated with the offer.

an initial proposition

Replaces "provisional" with "initial" emphasizing that the offer is the first one made and may be subject to change.

a preliminary submission

Changes "offer" to "submission" and "provisional" to "preliminary", framing the offer as an early version subject to further development.

a trial arrangement

Replaces "offer" with "arrangement" and "provisional" with "trial", implying a temporary agreement to test its viability.

a speculative application

Changes "offer" to "application" and "provisional" to "speculative", highlighting the uncertainty and risk involved.

a working hypothesis

Replaces "offer" with "hypothesis" and "provisional" with "working", suggesting the offer is a basis for further investigation and refinement.

an exploratory approach

It replaces the original phrase making the offer a strategy to better explore the field. It focuses on the method rather than the offer itself

a contingent undertaking

It replaces the original phrase focusing more on an intent rather than a business proposal, making it slightly less formal

FAQs

How can I use "a provisional offer" in a sentence?

You can use "a provisional offer" to indicate an offer that is subject to certain conditions or requirements being met. For example, "The university extended "a provisional offer" of admission, pending the student's final grades."

What is the difference between "a provisional offer" and "a conditional offer"?

"A provisional offer" and "a conditional offer" are very similar. Both suggest that the offer depends on specific conditions. "Provisional" can sometimes imply a more temporary or preliminary nature, while "conditional" strictly emphasizes the dependency on conditions.

What are some alternatives to "a provisional offer"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a tentative offer", "a preliminary offer", or "a qualified offer".

When is it appropriate to use "a provisional offer"?

It is appropriate to use "a provisional offer" when you are extending an offer that is not yet final and is contingent on certain factors, such as background checks, meeting specific academic requirements, or securing funding.