preliminary conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary conclusion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an initial judgment or opinion about something, especially one that may be changed after more information is gathered. For example, "Although I haven't reviewed all the evidence, my preliminary conclusion is that the defendant is guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This preliminary conclusion considers a behemoth like Google in the abstract.

Columbia University

This led to the preliminary conclusion that the BPF related tones are exclusively flow-induced.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

As a preliminary conclusion, sputtered Y2SiO5 coatings are considered more advantageous for all-oxide CMCs.

Surface and Coatings Technology

If the preliminary conclusion stands, labeling would not be needed and there would be little regulation, officials said.

The New York Times

A preliminary conclusion: patterns of Spanish loan replacement in these languages are inversely correlated with endemism of taxa named.

University of California, Berkeley

Engineers are still investigating, but their preliminary conclusion is that a component in a substation failed just after midnight.

The Economist

A summary of these concessions will be sent to rivals and their lawyers, after which the commission will draft a preliminary conclusion to its investigation.

The New York Times

After investigating the other complaint, the commission has "come to the preliminary conclusion that the accusations made against Intel are unfounded," she said.

The New York Times

Health officials reached their preliminary conclusion after conducting viral tests on nose or throat swabs from the eight students, which allowed them to eliminate other strains of flu.

The New York Times

There seems to be an agreement across political boundaries that the court must rule by its laws, and that this preliminary conclusion will be thoroughly checked.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that's a preliminary conclusion, because we haven't yet driven the equally new 2018 Honda Accord or the heavily updated 2018 Hyundai Sonata.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "preliminary conclusion", clearly state that it is subject to change based on further investigation or evidence. This manages expectations and maintains credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "preliminary conclusion" as definitive or final. Using language that is too strong can mislead your audience and undermine the tentative nature of the finding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary conclusion" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to introduce a tentative or initial judgment. It indicates that the conclusion is not yet final and may be subject to change based on further information or analysis. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary conclusion" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to introduce a tentative judgment or finding. Ludwig confirms its validity, indicating it's suitable for formal communication. Its frequent appearance across science, news, and academic sources underscores its reliability in professional contexts. When using "preliminary conclusion", remember to clearly indicate that it is subject to change, and avoid presenting it as a definitive statement. Related phrases like "initial assessment" or "tentative finding" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary assessment

Similar meaning but using a different noun.

initial assessment

Focuses on the act of evaluation rather than the outcome.

tentative finding

Emphasizes the uncertainty and possibility of revision.

interim assessment

Implies that the assessment is made during an ongoing process.

provisional determination

Implies a temporary decision subject to change.

tentative judgment

Highlights the act of forming an opinion.

working hypothesis

Highlights the exploratory nature of the conclusion.

early estimate

Focuses on numerical or quantitative aspects.

initial interpretation

Emphasizes the subjective understanding of data.

initial diagnosis

Specifically used in medical or investigative contexts.

FAQs

How to use "preliminary conclusion" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary conclusion" to introduce a tentative finding that may be revised later. For example, "Based on the initial data, our "preliminary conclusion" is that further research is needed."

What can I say instead of "preliminary conclusion"?

You can use alternatives like "initial assessment", "tentative finding", or "provisional determination" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "preliminary conclusion" or "final conclusion"?

"Preliminary conclusion" refers to an initial, tentative finding, while "final conclusion" refers to the ultimate decision or judgment. They are used at different stages of an investigation or analysis.

What's the difference between "preliminary conclusion" and "hypothesis"?

A "preliminary conclusion" is a judgment based on some initial evidence, while a "hypothesis" is a proposed explanation made as a starting point for further investigation. A hypothesis is tested, and a preliminary conclusion is reached after some initial testing.