preliminary decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial or provisional conclusion that is subject to further review or confirmation. Example: "The committee reached a preliminary decision to approve the funding request, pending final review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A preliminary decision is expected next spring.

The New York Times

A preliminary decision could be made tomorrow.

The Washington Post

A preliminary decision on the oyster farm is imminent.

The New York Times

"The high burden of proof has not been met," he ruled in the preliminary decision.

The New York Times

The Pres. made a preliminary decision to cancel 19 water project that Congress had already approved.

The New Yorker

"This is a preliminary decision, which will be appealed immediately," Mr. Espada said in an interview.

The New York Times

One provision relates to the serving of what are called "preliminary decision notices".

The Guardian

First comes an analysis of the situation and a preliminary decision on a plan of attack.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They won a victory in September when the department announced a preliminary decision to end it.

The New York Times

The ruling will follow a preliminary decision against the Portuguese government by the court's advocate general.

The New York Times

panel would typically not issue a preliminary decision for more than a year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary decision" when you want to emphasize that the decision is not yet final and may be subject to modification based on new information or further analysis.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary decision" as though it were a final verdict. Ensure all communications clearly state its tentative nature to prevent misunderstandings and premature actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary decision" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it indicating an initial conclusion or judgment that is subject to change or further review.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary decision" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression indicating an initial judgment or conclusion that is subject to change. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to convey that a decision has been made but is not yet final. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, showcasing its versatility. When using this phrase, it's crucial to emphasize its tentative nature to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives like "initial determination" and "tentative conclusion" can be used depending on the specific context. While authoritative, remember to treat it as subject to change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial determination

Replaces 'decision' with 'determination', emphasizing the act of finding something out initially.

initial assessment

Replaces 'preliminary' with 'initial' assessment of the problem.

preliminary assessment

Changes 'decision' to 'assessment', highlighting an initial evaluation.

tentative conclusion

Substitutes 'decision' with 'conclusion', highlighting the uncertain and provisional nature of the assessment.

first determination

Highlights that it is the very first determination related to the problem.

preliminary conclusion

Focuses on 'conclusion' instead of 'decision', indicating a reasoned judgment.

provisional judgment

Replaces 'decision' with 'judgment', stressing an opinion formed provisionally.

preliminary finding

Shifts from 'decision' to 'finding', focusing on the discovered information.

initial ruling

Replaces 'decision' with 'ruling', particularly apt in legal or regulatory contexts.

early assessment

Focuses on the 'assessment' aspect, indicating it's done at an early stage.

FAQs

How to use "preliminary decision" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary decision" to indicate an initial conclusion that is subject to change. For example: "The committee reached a preliminary decision to approve the project, pending final budget approval."

What can I say instead of "preliminary decision"?

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

What is the difference between "preliminary decision" and "final decision"?

A "preliminary decision" is an initial conclusion that is subject to change, while a "final decision" is the ultimate, binding resolution. One is tentative, the other is definitive.

Is it appropriate to act on a "preliminary decision"?

Acting on a "preliminary decision" should be done with caution. It's best to wait for the final decision, especially if significant resources or irreversible actions are involved, or at least acknowledge the inherent risk of that decision.