preliminary budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary budget" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial or draft version of a budget that is subject to further review or modification. Example: "The finance team has prepared a preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which will be discussed in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The preliminary budget is a conservative budget.

The New York Times

Very preliminary budget estimates and drafts, including handwritten calculations.

Cornell University

In a preliminary budget released in January, Mr. Koch proposed no new programs or added services.

The New York Times

Under the preliminary budget, those operational funds would be reduced by $600 million, or 13percentt.

The Washington Post

The White House released a preliminary budget blueprint this month confirming the science community's worst fears.

The Washington Post

Mayor Rudolph W. Guiliani is to present his preliminary budget in January.

The New York Times

Next week, I will present our preliminary budget for Fiscal 2009.

The New York Times

Next week's preliminary budget will propose an extension of that cut.

The New York Times

Mr. Reiskin's preliminary budget suggests reducing work orders as a way to save money.

The New York Times

The mayor is due to announce a complete preliminary budget on Feb. 14, said his spokesman, Edward Skyler.

The New York Times - Arts

In his preliminary budget, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proposed cuts in several agencies, including the Parks and Police Departments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "preliminary budget", clearly state that it is subject to change and further revisions. This manages expectations and encourages feedback.

Common error

Avoid making critical decisions or long-term commitments based solely on a "preliminary budget". Always wait for the final approved version to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary budget" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" modifies the noun "budget". It describes a budget that is in its early stages of development. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary budget" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to an initial or draft version of a financial plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, it's essential to clarify that the budget is subject to change and shouldn't be treated as the final, approved version. Alternatives such as "draft budget" or "initial budget" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Understanding its function, purpose, and register will ensure its appropriate use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draft budget

Replaces "preliminary" with "draft", indicating an early version.

initial budget

Substitutes "preliminary" with "initial", suggesting the first version.

proposed budget

Replaces "preliminary" with "proposed", emphasizing the budget is under consideration.

budget proposal

Changes the order and uses "proposal" to describe the budget.

estimated budget

Replaces "preliminary" with "estimated", highlighting the approximate nature of the budget.

projected budget

Substitutes "preliminary" with "projected", focusing on future expectations.

early budget

Uses "early" instead of "preliminary", indicating a budget in its initial stages.

tentative budget

Replaces "preliminary" with "tentative", suggesting the budget is not yet final.

first draft of the budget

More explicitly states that it's the initial version of the budget.

budget forecast

Uses "forecast" to suggest that the budget is a prediction.

FAQs

How is a "preliminary budget" used in project management?

In project management, a "preliminary budget" serves as an initial financial plan. It helps in estimating costs and allocating resources, but it's subject to adjustments as the project progresses and more information becomes available.

What's the difference between a "preliminary budget" and a final budget?

A "preliminary budget" is an early-stage estimate, while a final budget is the approved, official financial plan. The "final budget" incorporates revisions, additional data, and approvals that the preliminary version lacks.

What are some alternatives to using the term "preliminary budget"?

You can use alternatives like "draft budget", "initial budget", or "proposed budget" depending on the context. These alternatives convey the idea of an early or unfinalized financial plan.

When should a "preliminary budget" be prepared?

A "preliminary budget" should be prepared at the beginning of a planning process, whether it's for a project, department, or organization. It provides a starting point for financial discussions and resource allocation.