preliminary comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing an initial observation or remark before delving into a more detailed discussion or analysis. Example: "Before we begin the main presentation, I would like to make a preliminary comment regarding the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If you have preliminary comments, please post in advance below.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He seemed overly in agreement with the Democrats, and he made preliminary comments about what he'd seen in the report said it was shocking".

The New Yorker

"He seemed overly in agreement with the Democrats, and he made preliminary comments about what he'd seen in the report — said it was shocking".

The New Yorker

Speculation as to the cause of these tragic deaths is unhelpful, and recent experience with mephedrone has shown such preliminary comments are often quite wrong, we will know the truth only when toxicology results are reported.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Despite a lot of the preliminary comments that this league was somehow going to compete against the colleges or be a parallel path, that's not what we're looking to create," Granik said.

The New York Times - Sports

While senators suggested in preliminary comments today that the Senate would probably consent to ratification of the treaty, the prospect that both sides could keep large arsenals of stored warheads seems likely to cause considerable debate.

The New York Times

Now that I've had a few hours to get acquainted with the new Sidekick LX, I figured some preliminary comments were in order.

TechCrunch

Nonetheless, one cannot entirely ignore the problem of applying the term "metaphysics" so far beyond its Greek origins, and so a few preliminary comments are necessary.

SEP

Late Thursday, the organization expanded on its preliminary comments, claiming that the actress had not been attending church services for years.

Los Angeles Times

Full consideration of the implications of uncertainty and variability is beyond the scope of this paper; thus, we make only preliminary comments here.

Environmental Health Perspectives

As discussed in the literature, scholarship is elusive and often difficult to conceptualise and verbalise, and this was apparent in the participants' preliminary comments on clinical scholarship.

BMC Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary comment" to introduce an initial thought or observation before delving into a more detailed explanation. This helps to set the stage for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary comment" when the information is crucial or final. Reserve it for situations where the comment is genuinely an initial or tentative observation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary comment" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preliminary" modifies the noun "comment". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to introduce an initial remark or observation before a more thorough discussion.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary comment" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, though Ludwig indicates it is missing in its example database. It functions as a noun phrase indicating an initial observation before a more detailed discussion. It can be replaced by alternatives such as "initial remark" or "introductory observation". The phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business. When using "preliminary comment", ensure the information is genuinely initial and tentative, not a final or critical point. This helps maintain clarity and avoid overstating the comment's significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial remark

Focuses on the comment being at the beginning of a discussion.

introductory comment

Stresses that the comment serves as an introduction.

introductory observation

Highlights the act of introducing a topic with a comment.

opening statement

Suggests a more formal and structured beginning.

preceding note

Emphasizes that the comment comes before something else.

early feedback

Specifically refers to comments given as feedback at an early stage.

initial feedback

Specifically refers to comments given as feedback initially.

preparatory remark

Highlights the comment's role in preparing for a larger discussion.

first impression

Focuses on the comment as forming an initial perception.

tentative assessment

Indicates the comment is a provisional evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminary comment" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary comment" to introduce an initial observation before a more detailed discussion. For example, "As a "preliminary comment", I'd like to say that the project shows great promise."

What's a good alternative to "preliminary comment"?

Alternatives include "initial remark", "introductory observation", or "opening statement", depending on the context.

Is "preliminary comment" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "preliminary comment" is suitable for formal writing, especially when introducing tentative findings or observations that will be elaborated upon later.

What does "preliminary comment" imply?

A "preliminary comment" implies that the statement is an initial thought or observation, subject to further development, analysis, or refinement.