preliminary examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or legal contexts to refer to an initial assessment or evaluation before a more detailed examination or trial. Example: "The preliminary examination revealed several key issues that needed to be addressed before proceeding with the full investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Last week, a preliminary examination by the medical examiner's office found that Jacobs had shot himself.

The New York Times

"The preliminary examination is still ongoing.

The Guardian

The process of a preliminary examination can take several years.

The Guardian

A preliminary examination indicated that all the missiles are intact.

The New York Times

The preliminary examination was held on 27 March.

The Guardian

That preliminary examination became a formal investigation on Oct. 24.

The New York Times

Officials said that a preliminary examination of the sculpture indicated that it could be repaired.

The New York Times - Arts

"A five- or six-month preliminary examination is not all that unusual.

The Guardian

The team is made up of a Preliminary Examination Team, or PET.

The New Yorker

The anonymous sources said the conclusion was the result of a preliminary examination of imagery.

The Guardian

The company reported last month that a preliminary examination found evidence that options were backdated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or scientific documents, use "preliminary examination" to indicate a formal, initial review before a more in-depth investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary examination" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "first look" or "initial check" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary examination" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an initial inquiry or assessment conducted before a more thorough investigation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary examination" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that signifies an initial assessment or inquiry. As indicated by Ludwig, it is correct and suitable for written English. Primarily employed in formal contexts such as news reports, scientific papers, and legal documents, it serves to inform about a preliminary stage of investigation. While alternatives like "initial assessment" or "early evaluation" exist, "preliminary examination" maintains a level of formality and expertise. The analysis of usage patterns reveals that it is most common in "News & Media" and "Science" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial assessment

Focuses on the evaluative aspect, emphasizing the starting point of the assessment process.

pre-assessment

Directly describes the action of assessing something before a more formal assessment.

early evaluation

Highlights the temporal aspect, emphasizing that the evaluation is conducted at an early stage.

preliminary study

Highlights the study nature, specifically referring to an initial stage of research.

introductory review

Emphasizes the reviewing nature and its role as an introduction to a more in-depth analysis.

exploratory analysis

Focuses on exploring a subject or dataset to discover initial patterns or insights.

initial investigation

Focuses on the investigative aspect, suggesting the start of an inquiry.

first look

An informal way to describe a quick, initial inspection or assessment.

screening process

Emphasizes the filtering nature of the examination, aiming to identify specific criteria.

cursory inspection

Indicates a brief and often superficial examination, focusing on a quick check.

FAQs

How is "preliminary examination" typically used?

The phrase "preliminary examination" is used to describe an initial assessment or investigation, often in legal, medical, or academic contexts, conducted before a more detailed or formal process.

What are some alternatives to "preliminary examination"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "initial assessment", "early evaluation", or "introductory review".

Is "preliminary examination" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "preliminary examination" is more suited to formal writing. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "first look" or "initial check".

What's the difference between "preliminary examination" and "full investigation"?

A "preliminary examination" is an initial, often less detailed, inquiry, whereas a "full investigation" involves a comprehensive and thorough examination of all relevant facts and evidence.