it was provisional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was provisional" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is temporary or subject to change, often in contexts like agreements, plans, or arrangements. Example: "The agreement was only valid for a month because it was provisional, pending further negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Officials at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on Thursday confirmed the £37bn figure, but said it was provisional, set in September 2015, when wholesale power prices were low, and would not affect bill payers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's provisional; it's provisional.

The Guardian - Books

But it's provisional, while I wait for my real life to begin.

The New Yorker

It is provisional, shifting, temporary and subjective, that's what it is, and the quest for its elucidation is forever incomplete and wholly narrative.

The Guardian

But for all his poise, when he laughs, which he thankfully does quite a bit, I can hear that it is provisional – in parenthesis.

The Guardian - Books

Kinzie also shares her own successful classroom tactics that encourage readers to approach a poem as if it were provisional.

University of Chicago

(Note that there is a human OVOL3 gene, GeneID 728361, but it is "provisional" and largely un-annotated so we excluded it from this analysis).

BMC Systems Biology

The original plan was provisional.

The Guardian

It was the provisional capital (1981 94) of the republic of Ciskei.

Britannica

From 1949 to 1990 it was the provisional capital of West Germany, and it served as the seat of the German federal government from 1990 until 1999 2000, when the government completed its move to Berlin (designated the capital in 1991).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The skepticism characterized by this attitude was a matter of intellectual honesty and prudence; it was a provisional outlook or stance, though one capable of being sustained indefinitely, rather than a position to be resolutely adhered to.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was provisional" to clearly indicate that a plan, agreement, or figure is subject to change and not yet finalized. This helps manage expectations and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Don't treat something described as "it was provisional" as if it's set in stone. Always confirm the latest status, especially when making critical decisions based on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was provisional" functions as a statement of condition or status, indicating that something is not yet finalized and is subject to change. It's used to qualify information, plans, or agreements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was provisional" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase used to indicate that something is temporary, not final, or subject to change. Ludwig indicates that it is a statement of condition or status. While it is a relatively rare phrase, appearing mostly in news, academic and encyclopedia contexts, it serves the important function of managing expectations by clarifying the impermanent nature of a particular situation. Be sure to use it appropriately and avoid treating provisional arrangements as permanent ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was tentative

Indicates the arrangement was subject to change or not yet definite.

it was preliminary

Highlights the early stage of the decision or plan.

it was temporary

Focuses on the limited duration of the state or agreement.

it was conditional

Emphasizes that the agreement depended on certain terms or conditions.

it was subject to revision

Clearly states the possibility of future alterations.

it was not yet final

Directly conveys that a decision had not been officially concluded.

it was experimental

Suggests the approach was still under testing and likely to evolve.

it was an interim measure

Positions it as a stop-gap solution before something more permanent.

it was a placeholder

Implies something temporary filling a role until the permanent solution is ready.

it was a working draft

Indicates it was an unfinished version, subject to further development.

FAQs

What does "it was provisional" mean?

The phrase "it was provisional" means something was temporary, conditional, or subject to change. It's used to indicate that something is not yet final or certain.

How can I use "it was provisional" in a sentence?

You can use "it was provisional" to describe agreements, plans, or data that are not yet finalized. For example, "The budget estimate "it was provisional" and subject to change based on market conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was provisional"?

Alternatives to "it was provisional" include "it was tentative", "it was preliminary", or "it was temporary" depending on the context.

Is "it was provisional" formal or informal?

"It was provisional" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might be replaced by more precise language in highly technical or legal settings.