a tentative decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tentative decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that is not yet final and may be subject to change. Example: "After much discussion, we reached a tentative decision to move forward with the project, pending further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Yesterday's decision had been widely expected because Judge Ballachey issued a tentative decision two months ago.

The New York Times

In the first week of December, Spitzer and his senior colleagues reached a tentative decision not to take any legal action against Weill.

The New Yorker

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to reverse a tentative decision to grant federal recognition to two Connecticut Indian tribes.

The New York Times

Mr Starr is said to have made a "tentative decision" to issue a detailed final report on his five-year investigation into President and Mrs Clinton's affairs.

The Guardian

Turkey's relations with America have been strained, not least because of a tentative decision to buy air-defence missiles from China and differences over Israel.As Mr Erdogan's problems have multiplied, his disdain for Europe has faded.

The Economist

The Transportation Department's grant of immunity makes final a tentative decision issued April 9, but does not affect a separate antitrust review of the proposed Delta-Northwest combination by the Justice Department.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The colonial military leaders eventually recognized Howe as a tentative decision-maker, to his detriment; in the aftermath of the Battle of Long Island (1776), he again had tactical advantages that might have delivered Washington's army into his hands, but again refused to act.

Wikipedia

A conventional modified UMP-BP algorithm computes the tentative decision and the parity-check equation after every iteration (Figure 6).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In this article, we propose a novel adaptive architecture that selectively carries out the tentative decision and parity-check operations depending on estimated SNR values to reduce power consumption.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Stanley Young, a spokesman for the Air Resources Board, said, "We are reviewing the tentative decision, and we'll respond in the allotted time".

The New York Times - Science

The Fire Department said its tentative decision to hire Officer McMellon was contingent on the police review.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tentative decision" when you want to communicate that a decision has been made but is not yet final or fully confirmed. This conveys openness to further input or changes.

Common error

Avoid treating "a tentative decision" as a completely settled matter. Make sure that you leave some room for adjustments or revisions to ensure flexibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tentative decision" functions as a noun phrase, where "tentative" modifies the noun "decision". This phrase typically identifies a decision that is preliminary and subject to change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tentative decision" is a useful phrase for communicating that a decision has been made, but it is not yet final and may be subject to change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is important to avoid treating "a tentative decision" as a completely settled matter and remain open to adjustments or revisions. Consider alternative phrases like "a preliminary decision" or "a provisional decision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary decision

Emphasizes the early stage and potential for change in the decision-making process.

a provisional decision

Highlights the conditional nature of the decision, subject to further confirmation or fulfillment of certain conditions.

a working decision

Suggests a decision that is currently in effect but may be adjusted or replaced as more information becomes available.

an interim decision

Implies a temporary decision made to bridge a gap until a more permanent solution is found.

a conditional decision

Directly indicates that the decision is contingent upon certain conditions being met.

a hesitant decision

Conveys a sense of uncertainty and lack of conviction in the decision.

a trial decision

Suggests the decision is experimental and its effectiveness will be evaluated before making it permanent.

a proposed decision

Highlights the fact that the decision is still under consideration and open to discussion.

an unconfirmed decision

Indicates that the decision has not yet been officially approved or finalized.

a revocable decision

Emphasizes that the decision can be taken back or changed.

FAQs

What does "a tentative decision" mean?

A "tentative decision" is a preliminary or provisional decision that is subject to change or revision. It indicates a decision that is not yet final and may be altered based on new information or further consideration.

How to use "a tentative decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a tentative decision" to indicate a preliminary agreement. For example: "After the meeting, we reached "a tentative decision" to proceed with the project, pending budget approval."

What are some alternatives to "a tentative decision"?

Some alternatives include "a preliminary decision", "a provisional decision", or "a conditional decision". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a tentative decision" the same as a final decision?

No, "a tentative decision" is not the same as a final decision. A final decision is a settled and conclusive resolution, while "a tentative decision" is subject to change or further consideration.