preliminary consultation

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary consultation" is correct and usable in written English.
It describes an initial meeting or discussion, either between two parties or to determine the next steps of a project or plan. For example, "We scheduled a preliminary consultation to discuss the project timelines and milestones."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A preliminary consultation posted Nov. 5 said that the institute would instruct its appraisal committees to consider approving highly expensive life-saving drugs for terminal illnesses affecting fewer than 7,000 patients per year — a policy that seems tailor-made for Sutent and the three other kidney cancer drugs.

The New York Times - Health

Practical restraints prohibited a preliminary consultation and participation of the parents during the assessment.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Eligibility was assessed by the study investigators in a preliminary consultation and those who gave their consent were included.

Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology

Persons undergoing screening colonoscopy typically present at the gastroenterology practice for preliminary consultation about 1 week before colonoscopy.

British Journal of Cancer

For example, preliminary consultation with potential beneficiaries ('patients and carers') is already defined by most ethics committees as a necessary step before an application can be submitted.

BMC Medical Ethics

Patients (n = 734) who came to the clinic for a preliminary consultation with their treating physician regarding an upcoming shoulder surgery filled out an initial screening questionnaire.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"We are waiting for the final results of the elections and we are doing some preliminary consultations.

The Guardian

"I think it would be the right thing to do to have preliminary consultations with the Russian government on this matter," he said.

The New York Times

He told a year-end news conference he had been assured that the Iraqis would attend the Jan . 15session and that he had begun "preliminary consultations" with the occupation authority.

The New York Times

At the time, I.M.F. and Brazilian officials characterized the contacts as just preliminary consultations and indicated that the process of negotiating a new agreement, should one be needed at all, might take several months.

The New York Times

"We favor foreign capital involvement in Russia's economy," Mr. Putin told The New York Times in an interview on Oct. 4. "As regards purchasing part of the Yukos company, again this is a corporate matter, but once again we are talking about a possible major deal here, and I think it would be the right thing to do to have preliminary consultations with the Russian government".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling a "preliminary consultation", clearly state the objectives and expected outcomes to ensure both parties are prepared and the meeting is productive.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary consultation" as a comprehensive analysis or final decision-making stage. It's intended for initial discussions and gathering information, not for reaching definitive conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary consultation" functions as a noun phrase typically used to describe an initial meeting or discussion. It serves to introduce a topic, assess needs, or explore potential solutions before a more formal process begins. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary consultation" is a grammatically correct and useful noun phrase that describes an initial meeting or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, with a professional register. Related phrases include "initial assessment" and "introductory meeting". When using this phrase, ensure that the consultation is not mistaken for a final decision-making stage. As demonstrated in the examples, "preliminary consultation" serves to facilitate the start of projects or initiatives, provide information, and assess needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early consultation

Simply shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

initial assessment

Focuses on the evaluation aspect rather than the discussion.

introductory meeting

Emphasizes the meeting aspect as a start to something.

pre-assessment discussion

Highlights the discussion before a formal assessment.

exploratory discussion

Focuses on exploring the topic in the discussion.

first advisory session

Highlights the advisory nature and the session being the first one.

early-stage discussion

Emphasizes that the discussion is in the early stages.

introductory deliberation

Highlights a more formal and thoughtful consideration at the start.

initial briefing

Implies a concise presentation of information.

kick-off meeting

Emphasizes the beginning of a project or initiative.

FAQs

How is "preliminary consultation" used in a sentence?

You might say, "We scheduled a "preliminary consultation" to discuss the project's scope" or "The doctor offered a "preliminary consultation" to assess the patient's condition".

What's the difference between "preliminary consultation" and "initial consultation"?

Both terms are very similar, but "preliminary consultation" might slightly emphasize the exploratory nature of the discussion, while "initial consultation" simply refers to the first meeting.

What can I say instead of "preliminary consultation"?

Alternatives include "initial assessment", "introductory meeting", or "exploratory discussion", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to charge a fee for a "preliminary consultation"?

Whether to charge a fee for a "preliminary consultation" depends on the industry and specific practice. Some professionals offer it for free as a way to attract clients, while others charge a reduced rate to cover their time.