in the preliminary stages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the preliminary stages" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an early stage of something, such as a process or project. For example, you could say, “The construction of the new hospital is still in the preliminary stages.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We're in the preliminary stages," Ms. McKeon said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We are still in the preliminary stages," Brigadier Lane said.

The New York Times

The United States and Canadian governments are still in the preliminary stages of their joint investigation into the blackout.

The New York Times

"This new study will never be completed," said Dr. Lothstein, who participated in the preliminary stages of the 1994 study.

The New York Times

"I was in the preliminary stages at Stanford and I had to decide," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was in the preliminary stages at Stanford and I had to decide, but the interview wasn't official".

The New York Times

Dr. Weimerskirch's work, reported in the journal Nature, is in the preliminary stages, with data from only a few albatrosses collected so far.

The New York Times - Science

Strickland, in an interview on Tuesday, emphasized that any meeting would be in the preliminary stages, but added that his client wanted a deal "sooner rather than later".

The New York Times - Sports

Talks between G.M. and Cerberus began about a month ago, but are still in the preliminary stages, according to people close to the discussions.

The New York Times

In the preliminary stages of preparing for war, a Chief's most valuable asset is a knack of getting along with legislators in order to secure appropriations.

The New Yorker

But they said their investgations were in the preliminary stages and that the number might well grow as they gathered more information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the preliminary stages", ensure that the context clearly indicates what process or project is being referred to. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the current status.

Common error

Avoid using "in the preliminary stages" when the project is already significantly advanced. Ensure your description accurately reflects the level of completion to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the preliminary stages" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or progress of an action or state. As Ludwig confirms, it describes that something is in an early phase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the preliminary stages" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe the early phase of a process or project. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While relatively neutral in tone, it is essential to accurately represent progress when using this phrase, as overstating advancement can diminish credibility. Related phrases like "in the initial phase" or "at the outset" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the initial phase

Highlights the phase or period of initiation.

in the early phase

Similar to initial phase, but emphasizes the temporal aspect of being early.

in the nascent stage

Highlights that something is just beginning to exist or develop.

in the formative period

Stresses the period when something is taking shape or being formed.

in the embryonic stage

Draws a parallel to the biological term, indicating very early development.

in its infancy

Analogous to early childhood, implying immaturity and early development.

at the outset

Focuses on the very beginning or start of something.

at the starting point

Emphasizes the commencement or beginning of a process or journey.

at the inception

Highlights the very moment or point at which something begins.

just getting off the ground

An idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of an activity or project.

FAQs

How can I use "in the preliminary stages" in a sentence?

You can use "in the preliminary stages" to describe something that is just beginning or in its early phase. For example, "The project is "in the preliminary stages", so we don't have many details yet".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the preliminary stages"?

Alternatives include "in the initial phase", "at the outset", or "just getting off the ground", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in preliminary stage" instead of "in the preliminary stages"?

While "stage" can sometimes be used in the singular, "in the preliminary stages" is generally preferred because it implies there are multiple steps or aspects to the initial phase. "In the preliminary stage" is less common and might sound slightly unnatural.

How does "in the preliminary stages" differ from "under development"?

"In the preliminary stages" suggests the project is in its very early beginnings, whereas "under development" implies that the project has progressed beyond the initial planning and is actively being worked on. "Under development" indicates a more advanced state.