preliminary gathering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary gathering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initial collection of information or data before a more detailed analysis or meeting takes place. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, we need to conduct a preliminary gathering of all relevant data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ostensibly a safeguard to avoid sabotage, the preliminary gathering lends an air of clandestine importance to the rather mundane business of filing into a nearby working men's club.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that, he says, is preliminary data gathering and not the formal process by which results are published in a journal for rebuttal or confirmation by other scientists.

The New York Times - Science

Our preliminary information gathering suggests that fat bikes are used equally on footpaths and snow trails and that riders rarely stray from established trails.

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

Preliminary data gathering consisted of an Internet search for consumer purchase options for green burial clothing, using the search engine by typing terms such as "funeral clothing," "burial clothing," "burial garments," "natural burial clothing," "green burial clothing," including the above phrases with the words "clothes" and "apparel" substituted for "clothing".

Fashion and Textiles

She said the effort was "preliminary" fact gathering.

Los Angeles Times

CND and MF performed preliminary data gathering and phylogenetic analyses.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This is a preliminary data-gathering project that presents interesting ideas that should be further evaluated in a more rigorous study, ideally convening disaster communications experts from a variety of organizations.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Sciolla and her research group will station their detector in an underground lab to isolate it from cosmic rays, a major source of noise, and they'll spend 2009 gathering preliminary data to prove that the concept works.

MIT Technology Review

Now in a preliminary stage of gathering public comment, the agency will redraw a spaghettilike tangle of routes that date to the 1960's, when Newark airport was considered a backwater and airplanes were propeller-driven, said Frank Hatfield, the F.A.A.'s regional air traffic manager.

The New York Times

SimAttack leverages a similarity metric to capture the distance between a query and pre-built user profiles gathering preliminary information about the user interests.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

She plans to spend the next 2 years gathering preliminary data and taking advanced neurobiology courses, knowing that her next step is secure.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "preliminary gathering" to refer to a stage of research and preparation.

Common error

Avoid presenting information from a "preliminary gathering" as conclusive findings. Clearly state that it is an initial step and further analysis is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary gathering" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" modifies the noun "gathering". It describes an initial stage of collecting information or holding a meeting before a more detailed process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary gathering" is a grammatically sound and usable term, referring to an initial step in collecting information or holding a meeting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's an initial collection of information or data before a more detailed analysis or meeting takes place. While examples are relatively rare, it finds use in both news and scientific contexts, lending it a neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "initial data collection" or "preliminary meeting", depending on whether the focus is on data or discussion. Remember to clarify the context when employing "preliminary gathering" to avoid any potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary data collection

Emphasis on the data collection stage before a more formal analysis.

preliminary meeting

Replaces 'gathering' with the more formal 'meeting'.

preparatory data gathering

Highlights the preparatory nature of the gathering process.

initial meeting

Focuses on the meeting aspect rather than the data collection phase.

initial data collection

Highlights the data aspect and replaces 'gathering' with 'collection'.

early information gathering

Focuses on the early phase of obtaining information.

early stage data collection

Focuses on the timing of the data collection.

pilot data gathering

Refers to a trial run of data collection.

initial fact-finding

Emphasizes the investigative aspect of the gathering.

introductory assembly

Uses a more formal tone, replacing 'gathering' with 'assembly'.

FAQs

How can I use "preliminary gathering" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary gathering" to describe an initial collection of information or an informal meeting before a more formal process. For example: "The project began with a "preliminary gathering" of data from various sources."

What's a good alternative to "preliminary gathering"?

Alternatives include "initial data collection", "preliminary data collection", or "initial meeting" depending on the specific context.

Is "preliminary gathering" formal or informal?

"Preliminary gathering" is generally neutral in tone. For more formal contexts, consider using "preliminary meeting" or "initial assessment". For more informal contexts, you might say "getting the ball rolling" or "initial exploration".

What is the difference between "preliminary gathering" and "final analysis"?

"Preliminary gathering" refers to the initial process of collecting information or having an introductory meeting. A "final analysis" is the concluding evaluation of data after thorough investigation and processing.