a tentative answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a tentative answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in non-formal contexts, to indicate that your answer is an educated guess or a possibility. For example, "I'm not sure, but my tentative answer would be that the sun sets around 8 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A review of 150 years of scholarly inquiry and a tentative answer.

Nature

Ren-Shu and co have a tentative answer and some evidence for it.

MIT Technology Review

To this question, how some people cope, scientists have just now proposed a tentative answer.

The New York Times

The research study has an exploratory character; we will present a framework for the use of multimedia cases as a tentative answer, grounded in the researchers' experiments and design activities.

International Journal of Educational Research

This charming biography shuffles incidents from Montaigne's life and essays into twenty thematic chapters, each offering a tentative answer to the title's implied question ("Give up control"; "Question everything").

The New Yorker

Asked how Ms. Sandberg would balance her demanding job with the creation of a new movement, a member of the team offered a tentative answer: she plans to use her vacation days.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

After a few tentative answers, Kamal warmed to the assignment, as Mr. Wade fought unsuccessfully to suppress a grin.

The New York Times

A few tentative answers are given, and then someone says, "There would be no difference!

Huffington Post

My tentative answer is that the economy is still growing at a fairly decent clip but the official figures aren't yet reflecting it.

The New Yorker

The tentative answer is that it might do some good.

The New York Times

And the tentative answer is yes -- the remarkable economic boom since 1995 has at last brought an enduring improvement in the output of goods and services for each hour spent on the job.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tentative answer", ensure the context clearly indicates why the answer is uncertain, such as lack of complete information or ongoing investigation. This adds transparency and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a tentative answer" as definitive. Misrepresenting uncertainty can damage credibility. Use phrases like "to the best of my knowledge" or "based on current understanding" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tentative answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or direct object of a verb. As Ludwig AI shows, it usually expresses an initial or provisional response to a question or problem, implying some level of uncertainty or incompleteness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tentative answer" is a common phrase used to offer a provisional response with acknowledged uncertainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across various domains, including news, science, and academia. It's essential to provide context when using this phrase, ensuring transparency about why the answer is not definitive. Alternatives include "a provisional response" or "an educated guess", depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overstating confidence when using "a tentative answer", as this can undermine credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a provisional response

Replaces "tentative" with "provisional", emphasizing the temporary nature of the answer.

a qualified answer

Emphasizes that the answer comes with reservations or conditions.

a speculative reply

Suggests the answer is based on conjecture rather than solid evidence.

a hypothetical response

Indicates the answer is based on a hypothetical scenario.

a possible solution

Shifts the focus to a solution that is being considered, but not yet confirmed.

a preliminary conclusion

Highlights that the conclusion is initial and subject to change.

an educated guess

Implies the answer is based on knowledge, but still uncertain.

a working hypothesis

Suggests that this answer is the basis for further investigation.

a suggested explanation

Focuses on an explanation that is put forward, but not definitively proven.

an approximate estimation

Highlights the estimation's nature, indicating it isn't precise.

FAQs

How can I use "a tentative answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a tentative answer" when providing a solution or explanation that might not be fully confirmed, like: "My "tentative answer" is that more research is needed before drawing definite conclusions."

What's a less formal way to say "a tentative answer"?

In less formal situations, you might use "a guess", "a possible solution", or "a shot in the dark" as alternatives to "a tentative answer", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a tentative answer" or "an tentative answer"?

"A tentative answer" is correct. "Tentative" starts with a consonant sound, so it requires the indefinite article "a", not "an".

What's the difference between "a tentative answer" and "a definitive answer"?

"A tentative answer" suggests uncertainty and possibility, while "a definitive answer" implies certainty and finality. Use ""tentative answer"" when you're not entirely sure and "definitive answer" when you are completely sure.