a tentative settlement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tentative settlement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an agreement or resolution that is not yet finalized or is subject to change. Example: "After several rounds of negotiation, the parties reached a tentative settlement that still requires approval from their respective boards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now a tentative settlement has been reached.

The New York Times

The parties reached a tentative settlement last Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

The two sides reached a tentative settlement earlier this year.

The New York Times

Penguin said both sides had "reached a tentative settlement".

The New York Times - Arts

The company entered a tentative settlement with music publishers over similar issues last month.

The New York Times

A tentative settlement had been reached in October and on Jan . 24a federal judge in Vermont approved the deal.

The New York Times

In late summer, a tentative settlement was reached in which the bank would pay about $210 million.

The New York Times

After threatening a lockout, the Joffrey Ballet has reached a tentative settlement with its dancers, The Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The New York Times - Arts

Last year, the company came to a tentative settlement with the Kano state government which was to cost it $75m.

The Guardian - Business

The negotiations for a teachers' contract, stalled for 19 months, finally concluded with a tentative settlement on Monday.

The New York Times

Bridgestone/Firestone and its union reached a tentative settlement, but in Venezuela, the company ordered 62,000 tires recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tentative settlement" when you want to convey that an agreement has been reached but is not yet final and might be subject to changes or approvals. This is common in legal, labor, and business contexts where negotiations are involved.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a tentative settlement" as a done deal. Always indicate that it is subject to further approvals, conditions, or revisions to prevent misunderstandings and legal complications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tentative settlement" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "reached a tentative settlement") or as a subject complement. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase denotes an agreement that is not yet finalized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tentative settlement" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an agreement that is not yet final. As Ludwig AI explains, it implies that the settlement is subject to change or further approval. Its primary use is in news, formal business contexts, and legal reporting. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid implying that the agreement is fully complete. Instead, the phrase manages expectations. Related phrases, like "a preliminary agreement" or "a proposed settlement", can offer nuanced alternatives. The high frequency of examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes underscores its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary agreement

Focuses on the initial stage of the agreement.

a provisional resolution

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the resolution.

an unconfirmed accord

Highlights the lack of final confirmation.

a proposed settlement

Focuses on the suggestion aspect of the settlement.

a draft agreement

Emphasizes the incomplete, working version of the agreement.

an initial understanding

Stresses the beginning phase of the agreement process.

an interim arrangement

Highlights the temporary and transitional nature of the arrangement.

a conditional agreement

Highlights that the agreement depends on the fulfillment of certain requirements.

a working compromise

Focuses on the collaborative and still-evolving nature of the compromise.

a handshake deal

Emphasizes the informal and non-binding aspect of the agreement, relying on trust.

FAQs

What does "a tentative settlement" mean?

The phrase "a tentative settlement" refers to an agreement that has been reached between parties but is not yet final. It is subject to further approvals, conditions, or revisions.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a tentative settlement"?

Use "a tentative settlement" when an agreement is reached but requires further actions to become final. This often occurs in legal disputes, labor negotiations, and business deals.

What are some alternatives to "a tentative settlement"?

You can use alternatives like "a preliminary agreement", "a provisional resolution", or "a proposed settlement" depending on the specific context.

How does "a tentative settlement" differ from a final settlement?

"A tentative settlement" is not yet binding and requires further steps. A final settlement is fully approved, legally binding, and concludes the matter.