preliminary discussions with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary discussions with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to initial conversations or meetings that are meant to explore a topic or issue before making a decision or moving forward. Example: "We are currently engaged in preliminary discussions with potential partners to explore collaboration opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He rarely wrote dialogue in these preliminary discussions with himself.

The New York Times

The city is also in preliminary discussions with two hotel chains.

The New York Times

A McCarter spokesman confirmed that the theater was in "very preliminary" discussions with Mr. Simon.

The New York Times

"We assessed the situation, and we did have some preliminary discussions with Cleveland," Cashman said Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Several banks are using Barclays' $450 million settlement as a guidepost in preliminary discussions with authorities.

The New York Times

The company has held preliminary discussions with the ONR about Bradwell, its technology and its governance structure.

The Guardian

Dr. Kelemen and Dr. Aines have had preliminary discussions with California officials about the possibility of experimenting there.

The New York Times

Already, they said, several of these insurance giants have held preliminary discussions with Aetna about a possible deal.

The New York Times

Preliminary discussions with investors suggest that the paper might carry an interest rate of about 14percentt.

The New York Times

They are then meant to enter into UN-brokered preliminary discussions with the regime, beginning on 1 January.

The Guardian

The filmmakers first show their preliminary discussions with Marceline, the young woman who will conduct the interviews.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When initiating a new project or collaboration, use "preliminary discussions with" to signal the early stages of fact-finding and relationship building.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary discussions with" if the meeting is intended for decisive action or final agreements; this phrase implies an exploratory, non-committal stage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary discussions with" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "We had preliminary discussions with the client"). Ludwig AI indicates it's a standard and accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preliminary discussions with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the early stages of conversations or negotiations. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and wide use. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its relevance in reporting on ongoing developments. When using this phrase, remember that it implies an exploratory phase, not a final decision. For alternative phrasing, you can choose from phrases such as "initial talks with" or "early conversations with", as listed above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial talks with

Replaces "discussions" with the more informal "talks" emphasizing the early stage of the conversation.

early conversations with

Emphasizes the beginning stages of a dialogue, highlighting the informal nature of the exchange.

exploratory talks with

Highlights the investigative nature of the discussions, focusing on exploring possibilities.

tentative discussions with

Adds a sense of uncertainty or caution to the discussions, implying that outcomes are not yet determined.

preliminary consultations with

Substitutes "discussions" with the more formal "consultations", suggesting a professional or advisory context.

initial negotiations with

Implies a more structured and potentially contentious interaction focused on reaching an agreement.

early stage negotiations with

Expands on "initial negotiations", clarifying the nascent state of the negotiation process.

scoping discussions with

Highlights the act of defining the scope or boundaries of a project or issue during the discussions.

opening dialogues with

Replaces "discussions" with the more formal "dialogues", suggesting a reciprocal and cooperative exchange.

basic talks with

Replaces "preliminary" with the more general "basic", underscoring the simplicity and fundamental nature of the discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminary discussions with" in a sentence?

You might say, "We are in "preliminary discussions with" several vendors to assess their capabilities".

What are some alternatives to "preliminary discussions with"?

Consider using phrases like "initial talks with", "early conversations with", or "exploratory talks with" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "preliminary discussions with"?

It is appropriate when you are describing the early stages of a conversation or negotiation, where the goal is to explore options and gather information rather than to finalize agreements.

What's the difference between "preliminary discussions with" and "negotiations with"?

"Preliminary discussions with" indicates an initial, exploratory phase, while "negotiations with" implies a more formal and structured process aimed at reaching a specific agreement.