a tentative conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tentative conclusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a conclusion that is not yet final and may be subject to change based on further evidence or analysis. Example: "After reviewing the initial data, we reached a tentative conclusion that further investigation is needed before making a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I still hold it out there as a tentative conclusion," he said.

The New York Times

I would clarify my guiding principles, listen to experts on all sides of the debate, reach a tentative conclusion and run it past knowledgeable people.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Saleh said the inquiry, involving the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation and Yemeni investigators, had led to a tentative conclusion that the suspects belonged to an Islamic militant group that he named as the Islamic Jihad.

The New York Times

Brown's death, in the heat of the summer, produced a huge swell of anger and a fierce debate, but a tentative conclusion soon emerged: though his death had first seemed disturbing, many came to see him as a flawed victim.

The Guardian

As a tentative conclusion, the compassion meditation may be introduced first before the sitting meditation.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Based on this agreement, a tentative conclusion is drawn that there is good reason to believe that APUs do generate measurable indirect combustion noise.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Moreover, since the progressive increase in coupling was observed both when preserving the intracellular environment of the cone (perforated patch recordings) and when intentionally dialyzing it (whole cell recordings), a general tentative conclusion may be advanced: diffusible messenger molecules in cones are not necessarily involved in the process.

eLife

51 Otherwise, there were insufficient studies meeting moderate activity guidelines from which to conduct a subanalysis and suggest any tentative conclusions about effectiveness of walking groups and time or intensity.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

The report reached a damning, albeit tentative, conclusion: the drugs firms use a variety of unfair tactics to protect their expensive blockbuster drugs by delaying the entry of cheaper generic rivals.

The Economist

New year is the time for putting down markers, so this week's column contains a few tentative conclusions from the first months of this exercise in stock market speculation.

The Guardian - Business

Yet there was still enough in today's exchanges, and in events earlier in the week, to draw a few tentative conclusions about what may be about to unfold.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a tentative conclusion", clearly state the limitations of your data or analysis to maintain transparency and credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a tentative conclusion" as a definitive fact. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine the cautious nature of your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tentative conclusion" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a proposition or judgment that is not yet definitively proven or established. It typically serves as a starting point for further investigation or discussion, as supported by the examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tentative conclusion" is a useful phrase for presenting findings that are not yet definitive and may change with further analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both scientific and journalistic contexts. To use it effectively, ensure you clearly communicate the limitations of your data and avoid overstating the certainty of your findings. Related phrases include "a provisional finding" and "a preliminary inference". Remember to signal that your findings are still evolving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a provisional finding

Replaces "conclusion" with "finding", implying a result that is subject to change or further investigation.

an initial determination

Focuses on the conclusion as a starting point, subject to revision after further review.

a preliminary inference

Substitutes "conclusion" with "inference", highlighting the act of drawing a conclusion based on limited evidence.

a working hypothesis

Changes the phrase to represent an assumption made as a basis for reasoning or investigation.

a suggested interpretation

Frames the conclusion as one possible way of understanding the available information.

a reasoned supposition

Highlights that the conclusion is based on logical reasoning, though not necessarily definitive.

a speculative assessment

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the conclusion, indicating it's based on conjecture rather than concrete proof.

a qualified judgment

Implies that the conclusion is made with reservations or conditions, not absolute certainty.

a projected outcome

Focuses on the conclusion as a forecast or prediction based on current data.

an educated guess

Indicates a conclusion reached using some knowledge but lacking complete certainty.

FAQs

How do I use "a tentative conclusion" in a sentence?

You can use "a tentative conclusion" to introduce a finding that is not yet final. For example: "Based on the initial data, we reached "a tentative conclusion" that further investigation is needed."

What can I say instead of "a tentative conclusion"?

You can use alternatives like "a provisional finding", "a preliminary inference", or "a working hypothesis" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a tentative conclusion" or "a definitive conclusion"?

"A tentative conclusion" implies uncertainty and the need for further evidence, while "a definitive conclusion" suggests a final, certain result. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence.

What's the difference between "a tentative conclusion" and "a final conclusion"?

"A tentative conclusion" is preliminary and subject to change, whereas "a final conclusion" is the ultimate judgment reached after considering all available evidence.