preliminary conclusions

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary conclusions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing early findings or opinions before having reached a final, authoritative conclusion. For example, "Our study has revealed some interesting preliminary conclusions about the effects of climate change on crop production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Ben Bassat's team has already reached some preliminary conclusions.

The New York Times

Three preliminary conclusions from my conversations and eavesdroppings: 1.

The Guardian

This picture lends itself to some preliminary conclusions: 1. Kadima may win despite Olmert.

The Guardian - Opinion

An international team investigating the downing of flight MH17 released its preliminary conclusions on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Here are a few preliminary conclusions: 1. Anything can be a bookstore.

The New York Times

That assessment matches the preliminary conclusions from a recent series of cybersecurity firms that have analyzed the hack.

The Guardian

Within a week or two, officials said, the White House will begin to assemble the preliminary conclusions of those agencies.

The New York Times

The commissioners are expected to discuss the procedures for the publication of the draft report, but not its preliminary conclusions.

The New York Times

Her incipient bid to take Olmert's place could become more serious once the report's preliminary conclusions are released next month.

The Guardian

On Monday, the synod produced a draft document with some preliminary conclusions, and it is something of a bombshell.

The New Yorker

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERCC) notified BP of its preliminary conclusions relating to the alleged manipulation in November, a footnote to BP's annual results revealed.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "preliminary conclusions", clearly state that they are subject to change as more data becomes available. This manages expectations and maintains credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting "preliminary conclusions" as definitive findings. Overstating their certainty can mislead your audience and undermine the validity of your research.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary conclusions" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies early or tentative findings that are subject to change. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary conclusions" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe initial findings or tentative judgments. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to emphasize that these conclusions are not yet final and are subject to change. Using alternative phrases such as ""initial findings"" or ""tentative judgments"" can provide nuance depending on the context. Remember to avoid presenting "preliminary conclusions" as definitive, as that can mislead your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary findings

Synonymous, but puts more stress on the aspect of discovering.

initial findings

Focuses on the aspect of discovery and early results.

tentative judgments

Highlights the provisional nature of the conclusions.

early assessments

Emphasizes the evaluation process at an early stage.

initial interpretations

Focuses on the act of explaining or understanding something.

preliminary observations

Emphasizes empirical data and initial notes.

early analyses

Highlights the evaluation and examination of something in its initial stage.

provisional inferences

Stresses the act of drawing conclusions based on incomplete information.

working hypotheses

Suggests a proposition made as a basis for reasoning, without any assumption of its truth.

first thoughts

Informal way to describe the first ideas on something.

FAQs

How should I properly use "preliminary conclusions" in a sentence?

Use "preliminary conclusions" to introduce findings that are not yet fully confirmed. For example, "The report outlines the "preliminary conclusions" of the investigation, which will be updated as more information is gathered."

What are some alternative ways to express "preliminary conclusions"?

You can use alternatives such as "initial findings", "tentative judgments", or "early assessments" depending on the specific context.

Are "preliminary conclusions" the same as final conclusions?

No, "preliminary conclusions" are tentative and based on incomplete data, whereas final conclusions are drawn after a thorough analysis of all available evidence.

When is it appropriate to share "preliminary conclusions"?

It's appropriate to share "preliminary conclusions" when it's important to provide early insights or updates, but always ensure that you clearly indicate their provisional nature.