preliminary count

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary count" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial or early estimate of a quantity, often in contexts like elections, surveys, or data analysis. Example: "The preliminary count of votes indicates a close race between the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

An Egyptian official said that in a preliminary count, 13 Egyptians were among the dead.

The New York Times

The preliminary count put Hamas on 76 seats to Fatah's 43 in the 132 seat chamber.

The Guardian

The incumbent, Hamid Karzai, has 55% of the votes on a preliminary count.

The Economist

A preliminary count gave him 83.6% of the vote, with a suspiciously impressive 86.6% turnout.

The Economist

Once they are, the preliminary count of 23 dead hostages seemed certain to rise, officials acknowledged.

The New York Times

Those numbers do not include results from more than 600 polling centers already excluded from the preliminary count.

The New York Times

A preliminary count found that 370 babies were born in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Officials said preliminary counts suggested roughly 200 people may have died.

The New York Times

Preliminary counts suggest that 315 of them voted for the EFSF.

The Economist

The suspect, Simon Rios, 33, was charged with four preliminary counts of murder and will have a hearing today.

The New York Times

By this evening, officials said preliminary counts suggested roughly 200 may have died, including 64 people aboard the American Airlines 757.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preliminary count", ensure the context clarifies that the number is subject to change and further verification. This sets appropriate expectations.

Common error

Avoid treating the "preliminary count" as definitive. Always acknowledge its potential for revision to prevent premature conclusions or inaccurate reporting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary count" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates an initial enumeration or calculation, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary count" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an initial enumeration or calculation, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, serving to convey early, provisional information with the understanding that the figures are subject to change. While alternatives like ""initial tally"" or "early estimate" exist, "preliminary count" maintains a neutral to professional tone. A key writing practice is to avoid presenting the "preliminary count" as definitive to prevent misinterpretations. Overall, its frequent use and clear meaning make it a valuable phrase for communicating initial assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial tally

Replaces "count" with "tally", implying a slightly less formal enumeration. Maintains the sense of an early assessment.

initial figure

Replaces "count" with "figure", which is suitable when referring to a numerical value.

preliminary assessment

Assessment instead of count, slightly shifting the focus to a broader evaluation.

early estimate

Focuses on the approximate nature of the count, emphasizing that it's not yet precise.

provisional calculation

Uses "calculation" instead of "count", and "provisional" to highlight the possibility of future adjustments.

first approximation

Emphasizes the initial and somewhat rough nature of the calculation.

early figures

More informal and suitable when referring to a set of numbers.

initial assessment

Shifts the focus from the act of counting to the evaluation of the quantity, outcome, or amount.

first readout

Implies that the data is being read or displayed from a system for the first time.

interim calculation

Suggests a calculation done during a process, not necessarily at the very beginning.

FAQs

What does "preliminary count" mean?

A "preliminary count" refers to an initial or early calculation or assessment of something, often before a final or more accurate determination is made. It's used to provide a quick, but potentially incomplete, overview of a situation.

How to use "preliminary count" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary count" in a sentence like this: "According to the "initial tally", the election results are surprisingly close."

What can I say instead of "preliminary count"?

You can use alternatives like ""initial tally"", "early estimate", or "provisional calculation" depending on the context.

Is "preliminary count" the same as "final count"?

No, the "preliminary count" is an early and potentially incomplete assessment, while the "final count" is the confirmed and accurate total. The "initial tally" is subject to change, but the final number is not.