preliminary discussion about

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary discussion about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an introductory meeting or conversation about a particular topic. For example: "We had a preliminary discussion about the new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A week later, Sokol calls Hambrick and has a preliminary discussion about a possible deal.

The New York Times

After some preliminary discussion about tearing down the unfinished structure or changing its design, the Army Corps of Engineers assumed responsibility for its completion.

Britannica

Preliminary discussion about the university's new general use permit had just begun, amid a setting of concerns about traffic, housing, and growth.

Stanford University

City and state officials said they had not yet been consulted, although Mr. Krens was said to have held a preliminary discussion about it with Gov. George E. Pataki in EastHampton last summer.

The New York Times

After a preliminary discussion about technical and theoretical issues related to the performance analysis of these instruments, a proposal of test protocol definition, with reference to some power quality phenomena and based on the design of experiment, is presented.

Measurement

This paper tried to give a preliminary discussion about the minimized time and energy cost of the assembly mission under best sequence and route This optimized assembly mission planning allows the SSPS to be built in orbit rapidly, effectively and reliably.

Acta Astronautica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Section 13 d) has historically tripped up parties engaged in preliminary discussions about a proxy contest or who are otherwise discussing action vis-à-vis a company that can appear coordinated.

The New York Times

The Nets have had preliminary discussions about Nazr Mohammed, who played in Atlanta after the Sixers traded him for Dikembe Mutombo.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, PSINet and Winstar are in preliminary discussions about working together, according to executives close to those talks.

The New York Times

GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol-Myers Squibb held held preliminary discussions about the possibility of a merger, executives close to the talks said yesterday.

The New York Times

"He has held preliminary discussions about the county executive's race with Chairman Mondello," Mr. Siben said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary discussion about" to clearly indicate that a conversation is in its early stages and that the topic is being introduced, not fully resolved. This sets expectations for further, more detailed discussions later.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "preliminary discussion about" a topic implies immediate action or a final decision. Ensure that all participants understand that the discussion is exploratory and further steps are necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary discussion about" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective preceding another noun. It describes the type of discussion taking place, indicating its early and exploratory nature, consistent with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary discussion about" is a common and useful way to describe the initial stages of exploring a topic. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical status is correct, and it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. To enhance your writing, use it to set expectations that a conversation is exploratory and not yet decisive. Remember to avoid the common mistake of assuming that such a discussion automatically leads to immediate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial discussion about

Replaces 'preliminary' with 'initial', emphasizing the starting point of the conversation.

early discussion about

Uses 'early' instead of 'preliminary', highlighting the timing of the discussion.

preliminary chat about

Substitutes 'discussion' with 'chat', making the tone more informal.

introductory conversation regarding

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation" and "about" with "regarding", creating a slightly more formal tone.

exploratory talk concerning

Uses 'exploratory talk' to emphasize the investigative nature of the discussion and 'concerning' as a formal alternative to 'about'.

brief exchange on

Indicates a short and informal conversation, using 'exchange' instead of 'discussion' and 'on' instead of 'about'.

initial consultation regarding

Conveys a sense of professional advice or guidance, using 'consultation' in place of 'discussion' and 'regarding' for 'about'.

preliminary thoughts on

Shift the focus to initial ideas rather than a formal discussion, utilizing 'thoughts' and 'on'.

preliminary exchange regarding

Combine exchange regarding

preliminary exploration of

Emphasizes the act of exploring a topic rather than having a discussion, using 'exploration' and 'of'.

FAQs

What does "preliminary discussion about" mean?

A "preliminary discussion about" indicates an initial conversation to explore a topic without making definite decisions. It's an early-stage exchange to introduce ideas and gather initial thoughts.

How can I use "preliminary discussion about" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary discussion about" to describe an initial conversation. For example, "We had a preliminary discussion about the budget for next year."

What are some alternatives to "preliminary discussion about"?

Alternatives include "initial discussion about", "early discussion about", or "introductory conversation regarding" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "preliminary discussion about" and "in-depth discussion about"?

"Preliminary discussion about" suggests an initial, exploratory conversation, while "in-depth discussion about" implies a thorough and detailed examination of the topic.