a tentative proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tentative proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting an idea or plan that is not yet finalized and may be subject to change. Example: "We are submitting a tentative proposal for the new project, which we can adjust based on feedback from the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In 1987, I had posted him a tentative proposal for four discs.

The Guardian

A tentative proposal into the nature of the iron species responsible for the catalytic species in ZSM-5 50) ZSM-5 50

Catalysis Today

The study includes thermal analysis, with a tentative proposal to evaluate with finite element approach the location/size of defects and the possible propagation during fatigue cycling.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

In early November, after meeting in Jerusalem with Secretary of State John Kerry, he proclaimed a tentative proposal "a very, very bad deal.

The New Yorker

Agriculture officials in Washington resisted a tentative proposal to vaccinate some 70 million to 80 million pigs in order to eradicate the disease at its probable source.

The New York Times

The oligarchs, Alexander Machkevitch, Alijan Ibragimov and Patokh Chodiev, made a tentative proposal in May worth around £3.3bn, which was rejected by ENRC's independent directors.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Mein Kampf" is banned in the Netherlands, and in 2007 a minister's tentative proposal to allow its distribution was quickly shot down by parliamentarians (though an antiquarian prosecuted for selling several old editions of the book was acquitted in November).

The Economist

That is what good publishing is about". Pearson also rejected a last-minute, tentative proposal from Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp owns rival publisher HarperCollins, in part due to the fact that an outright sale of Penguin has tax implications in the US, where it has two-thirds of its business.

The Guardian - Books

Pearson also rejected a last-minute, tentative proposal from Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp owns rival publisher HarperCollins, in part due to the fact that an outright sale of Penguin has tax implications in the US, where it has two-thirds of its business.

The Guardian - Books

We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of violence in the future". Nothing happened, and as far as I remember, there were not even any tentative proposals to bring about any change.

BBC

Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner said "there are a lot of issues in here that have to be dealt with" but the tentative proposal by a bipartisan group of eight House members "is frankly a pretty responsible solution".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a tentative proposal", clearly state that it is subject to change and further refinement to avoid misunderstandings or premature commitments.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a tentative proposal" as a definitive plan. Doing so can lead to confusion and undermine your credibility if the proposal needs to be significantly altered later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tentative proposal" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an idea or plan that is not yet fully developed or certain. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase suggests something that is open to change and further refinement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tentative proposal" is a noun phrase used to introduce an idea or plan that is not yet finalized and is subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable across different contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While not extremely frequent, its usage is clear and conveys a sense of openness to revision. When using this phrase, it's important to manage expectations by clearly stating the preliminary nature of the proposal to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary suggestion

Replaces 'proposal' with 'suggestion', emphasizing the initial and not-yet-finalized nature.

an initial plan

Substitutes 'proposal' with 'plan', highlighting the structured aspect of the idea.

a rough draft

Emphasizes the incomplete and unpolished state of the proposal.

a speculative idea

Highlights the exploratory and uncertain aspect of the proposal.

a trial balloon

An idiom that refers to testing an idea to gauge public reaction.

a pilot project

Implies a small-scale, experimental version of a larger proposal.

a possible solution

Focuses on the problem-solving aspect of the proposal, suggesting it's one of several options.

a working hypothesis

Frames the proposal as a basis for further investigation and testing.

a conditional offer

Presents the proposal as subject to specific terms or circumstances.

an exploratory concept

Highlights the initial and investigative nature of the proposal.

FAQs

How do you introduce "a tentative proposal" in a presentation?

Begin by clearly stating that the proposal is in its early stages and is open for discussion and revisions. Use phrases like "This is a preliminary idea" or "We're exploring a possible solution in the form of "a tentative proposal"".

What's the difference between "a tentative proposal" and a formal proposal?

"A tentative proposal" is preliminary and subject to change, while a formal proposal is more developed, detailed, and intended for serious consideration. The former is exploratory, the latter is persuasive.

What are some synonyms for "a tentative proposal"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary suggestion", "an initial plan", or "a rough draft", each highlighting the early and evolving nature of the idea.

When is it appropriate to present "a tentative proposal"?

It's appropriate to present "a tentative proposal" when you want to gather initial feedback, explore potential solutions, or start a conversation about a problem without committing to a specific course of action.