penciled in

USAGE SUMMARY

"penciled in" is a correct, usable phrase in written English.
It means to make a tentative reservation, appointment, or arrangement, usually in a calendar. Example sentence: I've penciled in a meeting with my boss on Tuesday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also penciled in suggestions for innovative materials, like "spun-crome" and "nu-wood".

The New York Times - Arts

Surely, Prescott can be penciled in somewhere between Garoppolo and Wilson.

Forbes

Penciled in?

The New York Times

"Vague," I penciled in the margin.

The New York Times

But most of them have not penciled in a default.

The New York Times

"I have him penciled in for Wednesday," she said.

The New York Times

Miss Brooklyn is penciled in at 620 feet high.

The New York Times

He's penciled in as our Game 6 starter".

The New York Times - Sports

For now, J. P. Machado is penciled in.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are some guys who are penciled in right now.

The New York Times - Sports

Other Senate committees have also penciled in hearing dates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "penciled in" to indicate a plan that is not yet definite and is subject to change. This implies flexibility and avoids creating a sense of rigidity when the schedule is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid treating a "penciled in" arrangement as a confirmed commitment. Always double-check and confirm the details closer to the date, as these plans are subject to adjustments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "penciled in" functions as a verb phrase indicating a tentative arrangement or plan. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests something is scheduled provisionally, subject to potential changes. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, from sports to business, all highlighting its meaning of a preliminary booking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penciled in" is a very common and correct verb phrase used to denote a tentative arrangement or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it conveys the message that an event or meeting is scheduled provisionally and may be subject to change. When writing, it's best used to set flexible expectations and acknowledge potential adjustments. Alternatives like "tentatively scheduled" or "provisionally arranged" offer similar meanings, though "penciled in" carries a slightly more informal tone. Remember not to treat a "penciled in" plan as confirmed until it's officially finalized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tentatively scheduled

Indicates a preliminary plan, similar to "penciled in", but may sound slightly more formal.

Scheduled tentatively

Reverses the order of "tentatively scheduled" without significant change in meaning.

Provisionally arranged

Implies a temporary arrangement subject to change, with a slightly more formal tone than "penciled in".

Planned provisionally

Similar to "provisionally arranged", but uses "planned" to emphasize the intention behind the arrangement.

Subject to confirmation

Highlights the uncertainty of the arrangement, emphasizing that it requires further approval.

In the works

Suggests something is in development but not yet finalized, offering a less specific alternative.

Not set in stone

Emphasizes the flexibility of the arrangement, suggesting it is easily changeable.

On the agenda

Implies inclusion in a list of topics to be discussed, but not necessarily confirmed for a specific time.

In the pipeline

Suggests a future plan that is being considered, though not definitively scheduled.

TBD (to be determined)

Directly indicates that the schedule is not yet set, representing a concise, technical alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "penciled in" in a sentence?

You can use "penciled in" to indicate a tentative arrangement or plan. For example: "I've "penciled in" a meeting for next week, but it's not yet confirmed."

What is the difference between "penciled in" and "scheduled"?

"Penciled in" implies a tentative plan that might change, while "scheduled" suggests a confirmed and finalized arrangement. If something is "scheduled", it's more certain than if it's "penciled in".

Are there any alternatives to using "penciled in"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "tentatively scheduled", "provisionally arranged", or "not set in stone" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "penciled in"?

Use "penciled in" when you want to communicate that a plan is preliminary and subject to change. It's suitable for informal and professional contexts where flexibility is required.