preliminary bill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary bill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initial version of a bill or legislation that is subject to further discussion or revision. Example: "The committee has released a preliminary bill for review, which outlines the proposed changes to the current law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government was thrown into tumult today when Parliament, by a substantial margin, approved a preliminary bill to disperse and head toward new elections.

The New York Times

Deborah Sontag (NYT) ISRAEL: BARGAINING CHIPS Parliament passed a preliminary bill enabling Israel to imprison "combatants not entitled to prisoner-of-war status".

The New York Times

Mr. Barak's government was thrown into tumult last week when Parliament, by a substantial majority, approved a preliminary bill to disperse and head toward new elections.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Ehud Barak's government was thrown into tumult when Parliament approved a preliminary bill to disperse and head toward new elections.

The New York Times

(AP) ISRAEL: MILITARY EXEMPTION BILL After long debate, Parliament passed a preliminary bill that would legalize a practice of granting draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox seminary students.

The New York Times

Defying Mr. Barak's appeals for coalition unity, three of the six parties in his government joined forces with the opposition to approve a preliminary bill that would make a future referendum on peace with Syria extremely difficult to pass.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Give preliminary notice.

WikiHow

Practically speaking, a CR means the budgets of federal research agencies will be frozen: Administrators won't be able to start new programs or benefit from the spending hikes envisioned in some preliminary appropriations bills awaiting final action.

Science Magazine

In another bad sign for BP in Russia, the Parliament on Friday passed in a preliminary reading a bill restricting foreign investment in assets deemed strategic for the country's economy or national security; most large oil fields fall into this category.

The New York Times

Typically, the production and end-of-life numbers are estimated based on labor costs from similar recent products and a material cost based on a preliminary design and bill of material (BOM) from engineering.

Embedded Multitasking With Small Microcontrollers

On Friday, the full Senate gave preliminary approval to bills that would create universal background checks, require gun buyers to pay for background checks and keep guns away from domestic abusers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary bill" to clearly indicate that the legislation is not yet finalized and is subject to change.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary bill" when referring to legislation that has already been passed and enacted. The term specifically denotes a bill that is still in the proposal or discussion phase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary bill" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific type of legislative document: one that is in its initial stages of development and is subject to change. Examples found by Ludwig highlight its use in describing legislative actions and processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary bill" is a grammatically sound and usable term in English, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes an initial version of proposed legislation still under consideration. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the bill's stage in the legislative process and is not confused with enacted laws. Alternative phrases include "draft legislation" or "proposed bill".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draft legislation

Focuses on the legislative aspect and its initial form.

proposed bill

Emphasizes the aspect of the bill being put forward for consideration.

initial draft of the bill

Highlights the bill's status as a preliminary version.

tentative bill

Implies the bill is subject to change and not yet finalized.

preliminary version of the legislation

More formal and emphasizes the legislative nature of the document.

early version of the bill

Highlights the bill's position in the timeline of legislative process.

first reading of the bill

Refers to the specific stage in the legislative process where the bill is initially presented.

embryonic bill

Suggests that the bill is in an early phase of development, like an embryo.

unfinalized bill

Emphasizes the bill's lack of finality and the potential for amendments.

bill under consideration

Focuses on the fact that the bill is currently being reviewed and debated.

FAQs

What does "preliminary bill" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, a "preliminary bill" refers to an initial version of proposed legislation that is subject to review, debate, and amendment before it can be enacted into law. It's often the starting point of a legislative process.

How does a "preliminary bill" differ from a law?

A "preliminary bill" is a proposal that has not yet been approved, while a law is legislation that has been passed by the relevant governing body and is in effect. The "proposed bill" may undergo significant changes before becoming law.

What are some synonyms for "preliminary bill"?

Synonyms for "preliminary bill" include "draft legislation", "proposed bill", and "initial draft of the bill", all of which emphasize the bill's early stage.

What happens after a "preliminary bill" is introduced?

After a "preliminary bill" is introduced, it typically goes through a process of committee review, public hearings, debate, and amendment. It may then be voted on by the legislative body. If passed, it may still need approval from other bodies or executives to become law.