preliminarily

USAGE SUMMARY

'preliminarily' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb used to describe something that is done as a first step or as a basic introduction. For example, "We are preliminarily discussing potential solutions to the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminarily" to clearly indicate that an action or decision is subject to further confirmation or development. It adds a layer of caution and anticipation for future steps.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminarily" in contexts where simpler adverbs like "initially" or "tentatively" would suffice. Overly formal language can make your writing sound stilted or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preliminarily" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or state is occurring at the beginning or as an initial step. As Ludwig AI explained, it indicates something is done as a first step or as a basic introduction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminarily" functions as an adverb to indicate the introductory or initial nature of an action or discussion. As Ludwig AI points out, it denotes something done as a first step or basic introduction. While grammatically correct, its use is rare, and more common in formal and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that the level of formality suits the intended audience, and consider alternatives like "initially" or "tentatively" for less formal settings. The lack of real-world examples limits a more thorough analysis of its usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a preliminary manner

Uses a more verbose form emphasizing the 'preliminary' aspect.

initially

Focuses on the first stage or beginning of a process.

provisionally

Suggests a temporary or conditional arrangement.

tentatively

Implies a cautious or hesitant approach.

as an initial measure

Focuses on action taken as a starting point.

as a first step

Emphasizes the sequential nature of actions.

by way of introduction

Used especially when introducing a topic or idea.

to begin with

Highlights the starting point of a discussion or action.

at the outset

Indicates the very beginning or commencement.

for starters

Informal way of indicating an initial action or point.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminarily" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminarily" to indicate that something is being done as a first step or in an introductory manner. For instance, "We are "initially" discussing potential solutions to the issue" conveys a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "preliminarily" and "provisionally"?

"Preliminarily" suggests an action is a first step, while "provisionally" implies that something is temporary and subject to change. The nuance lies in whether it's the beginning of a process or a conditional arrangement.

Are there less formal alternatives to "preliminarily"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use ""initially"", "tentatively", or "to begin with" for a less formal tone.

Is it correct to use "preliminarily" in academic writing?

Yes, "preliminarily" is suitable for academic writing when you want to emphasize that your findings or conclusions are based on initial research and may require further validation. Consider alternatives like "tentatively" or "provisionally" to enhance nuance.