a very preliminary draft

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very preliminary draft" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial version of a document that is not yet finalized and is subject to further revisions. Example: "This is a very preliminary draft of the report, and I welcome any feedback before we move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

His baptism of fire with Crowell last year clearly gave only a very preliminary draft of Hiddleston as Hank: that the actor was willing to try out in public what was still then very much a Hank Williams impersonation says more about his courage than it suggests about his potential to convince in the role.

The Guardian - Film

A very preliminary draft was presented to the PACCT Strategy Group in January 2001.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He cautioned that that was "a very preliminary estimate".

The New York Times

"There has only been a very preliminary test so far," said Andy Boach, a bureau spokesman.

The New York Times

"It was a very preliminary conversation," one source involved told Reuters.

The Guardian - Tech

Officials in Washington, however, said any possible sale was at a very preliminary stage.

The New York Times

But the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said the draft report was still under preparation and "the details being brought out were observations which are under discussion at a very preliminary stage".

BBC

However, this was just a very preliminary result.

Structural Behavior of Asphalt Pavements

"The whole thing was a very preliminary idea".

Huffington Post

Their experiments are of a very preliminary nature.

BMC Cancer

Data were extracted into evidence tables, systematically compared by means of a consistency analysis and synthesized in a preliminary draft.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very preliminary draft" to introduce an idea or document that you want feedback on early in the process. This invites collaboration and helps refine the final product.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "very preliminary draft" as a finalized or near-final document. Clearly communicate its early stage to prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very preliminary draft" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, often referring to an initial version of a document.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very preliminary draft" is a noun phrase used to describe an initial, unrefined version of a document or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, pointing to its frequent use across news, science, and business contexts. Alternatives like "an initial outline" or "a rough sketch" can be used depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, it is best practice to set clear expectations about the document's stage and invite early feedback. However, avoid overstating its completeness to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a highly initial version

Replaces "preliminary" with "initial" and "very" with "highly" for emphasis.

a quite early rendition

Substitutes "preliminary" and "draft" with "early" and "rendition", respectively, softening the tone.

a seriously undeveloped form

Emphasizes the lack of development using "seriously undeveloped" instead of "very preliminary".

an extremely basic outline

Replaces "draft" with "outline" to suggest a skeletal structure and "very preliminary" with "extremely basic".

a remarkably raw design

Uses "raw design" in place of "preliminary draft" to indicate an unrefined initial plan.

an altogether initial sketch

Replaces "draft" with "sketch" to suggest a less formal initial version.

a notably early form

Substitutes draft with form, less focused on written documents.

a particularly rough version

Emphasizes the lack of refinement by using "rough version" instead of "preliminary draft".

a fairly undeveloped copy

Substitutes draft with copy, with a focus on content.

a quite sketchy proposal

Uses 'sketchy proposal' suggesting an initial idea that needs more development.

FAQs

How can I use "a very preliminary draft" in a sentence?

You can use "a very preliminary draft" to describe an early version of a document or plan that is still subject to significant changes. For example: "This is "a very preliminary draft" of the budget, and we expect it to evolve significantly over the next few weeks."

What is the difference between "a preliminary draft" and "a very preliminary draft"?

Adding "very" to "a preliminary draft" emphasizes that the draft is at a particularly early and unrefined stage. It suggests that more changes are likely compared to simply calling something "a preliminary draft".

What are some alternatives to saying "a very preliminary draft"?

Alternatives include "an initial outline", "a rough sketch", or "a first version", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to share "a very preliminary draft"?

It is appropriate to share ""a very preliminary draft"" when you are seeking early feedback, brainstorming ideas, or collaborating with others who understand that the document is far from complete. Make sure to communicate its unfinished state clearly.