an initial trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first attempt or test of a process, product, or idea. Example: "Before launching the new software, we conducted an initial trial to gather user feedback and identify any issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Following an initial trial with clear liquids, patients begin a pureed diet on postoperative day 1.

Nature

After an initial trial his team decided to keep articles short and snappy, with no article longer than 300 words.

The Guardian

Prosecutors lodged the appeal in May after the 17 witnesses were acquitted at an initial trial in Cairo.

The Guardian

From an initial trial of 1,000 "seeders", the researchers obtained 160,000 profiles – or about 160 per person.

The Guardian - Tech

A five-step description of the process is provided and practical results from an initial trial are presented.

Composites Part B: Engineering

A 5-step description of the process is provided and practical results from an initial trial are presented.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

The three, who had been working for al-Jazeera English, were convicted and spent more than 400 days in prison following an initial trial.

The Guardian

"Also, Chilean leaders seem willing to try a muted version of their proposal first and then build upon it after an initial trial period".

The Guardian

Novartis decided to produce at least the few pounds of STI-571 needed for an initial trial, and Dr. Druker began recruiting patients in June 1998.

The New York Times - Science

"There's certainly going to be an initial trial, because people love the M&M's brand and there's such a strong market for premium chocolate," she said.

The New York Times

After an initial trial verdict for the Havners, the appellate court found that the plaintiff's expert evidence was legally insufficient to prove causation.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an initial trial" to preface the introduction of new methodologies, products, or strategies, emphasizing that the implementation is a test phase.

Common error

Avoid presenting the results of "an initial trial" as conclusive evidence. Emphasize that further testing and validation are necessary to confirm the findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial trial" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it denotes the commencement of testing or experimentation. It describes the first attempt to evaluate something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial trial" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the first instance of testing or experimentation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily applicable across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and business domains. While the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, its purpose is to introduce a preliminary step, setting the stage for further evaluation or action. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the objectives and avoid overstating the significance of the preliminary results. Alternative phrases such as ""a preliminary test"" or ""a pilot study"" can be employed to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary test

Replaces 'initial trial' with 'preliminary test', indicating a test conducted early on to assess feasibility or identify potential issues.

a pilot study

Substitutes "initial trial" with "pilot study", often used in research contexts to denote a small-scale preliminary study.

a test run

Replaces "initial trial" with "test run", suggesting a practical, hands-on trial to evaluate performance.

a first attempt

Swaps "initial trial" with "first attempt", highlighting the act of trying something for the first time.

a preliminary investigation

Replaces "initial trial" with "preliminary investigation", implying a more formal or in-depth examination.

a starting experiment

Uses "starting experiment" instead of "initial trial", emphasizing the experimental nature of the first test.

a practice session

Replaces "initial trial" with "practice session", suggesting a trial primarily for gaining experience or skill.

a dry run

Replaces "initial trial" with "dry run", implying a rehearsal without the real resources or consequences.

an early stage evaluation

Substitutes "initial trial" with "early stage evaluation", emphasizing the assessment aspect during the initial phases.

a feasibility study

Replaces "initial trial" with "feasibility study", highlighting the assessment of whether a project or idea is practical.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial trial" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial trial" to describe the first attempt to test a new product, process, or idea. For example: "The company conducted "an initial trial" of its new software with a small group of users."

What are some alternatives to "an initial trial"?

Alternatives to "an initial trial" include "a preliminary test", "a pilot study", or "a test run". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "an initial trial" and "a final trial"?

"An initial trial" refers to the first attempt or test, while "a final trial" implies the last test conducted before implementation or release. The "final trial" is intended to validate all previous findings.

When is it appropriate to use "an initial trial" in a formal setting?

It's appropriate to use "an initial trial" in formal settings such as research reports, business proposals, and project plans when describing the first phase of testing or experimentation.