preliminary goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "preliminary goal" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a short-term goal established as a precursor to a larger, more complex goal. For example: "We set our preliminary goal to finish the report by the end of the week so that we could move on to the more complicated tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By Hallie Cantor 8 00 A.M. Orient yourself to the idea of waking up with the preliminary goal of sussing out whether what you're feeling is normal alarm-clock-induced grogginess or actual illness.

The New Yorker

The public consortium of universities engaged in decoding the human genome has accomplished two-thirds of its preliminary goal, Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, said yesterday.

The New York Times

8 00 A.M. Orient yourself to the idea of waking up with the preliminary goal of sussing out whether what you're feeling is normal alarm-clock-induced grogginess or actual illness.

The New Yorker

7 31 P.M. Reach unanimous decision: Yes.  8 00 A.M. Orient yourself to the idea of waking up with the preliminary goal of sussing out whether what you're feeling is normal alarm-clock-induced grogginess or actual illness.

The New Yorker

After negotiating a preliminary goal with the patient, the referring GP contacted the geriatrician involved in the study.

BMC Health Services Research

A preliminary goal was to establish the rates of key variables, which could then be used to develop formal sample size estimates for a planned larger study in the same setting.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Finally, she listed her preliminary goals and beliefs: * Be Gretchen.

Huffington Post

The OSWER guideline, released January 2006, sets a groundwater preliminary remediation goal (PRG) of 24.5 μg/L for Superfund sites containing perchlorate.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWERR) set a groundwater preliminary remediation goal (PRG) of 24.5 μg/L to prevent exposure of pregnant women that would affect the fetus.

Environmental Health Perspectives

This information should help define preliminary treatment goals upon admission and refine them after an early treatment phase of 4-6 days.

BMC Cancer

abbreviations: PCBs, polychlorinated biphenyls; NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aEPA Health-based guidance value for total PCBs – EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals for ambient air and residential soil (2004).

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In research proposals, state the "preliminary goal" to manage expectations and showcase the initial scope of the investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary goal" when referring to the ultimate, long-term aim of a project. This can create confusion regarding the project's actual purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary goal" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preliminary" modifies the noun "goal". It identifies an initial or preparatory objective. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts, from medical research to business planning, consistent with Ludwig AI indicating correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary goal" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for defining initial objectives. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application across various fields, notably science, news, and business. When writing, use "preliminary goal" to clearly mark short-term objectives within larger projects, setting expectations and outlining initial phases. It's important to differentiate it from the final objective to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "initial objective" or "exploratory goal" depending on the specific context. The frequency of the expression is uncommon, but appropriate for formal and structured discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tentative goal

Emphasizes the uncertain or provisional nature of the goal.

initial objective

Focuses on the starting point of a plan or effort.

preliminary objective

Similar meaning, slightly more formal than "preliminary goal".

pilot objective

Highlights the experimental or trial nature of the objective.

exploratory goal

Highlights the investigative nature of the goal.

starting goal

Focuses on the commencement of an activity.

incipient goal

Describes a goal that is just beginning to form or develop.

provisional aim

Highlights the temporary and subject-to-change aspect of the aim.

first stage goal

Emphasizes that the goal is only one part of a larger process.

early-stage goal

Similar to 'first stage goal', but more concise.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "preliminary goal" in a sentence?

Use "preliminary goal" to define an initial objective that contributes to a larger overall objective. For example: "The "tentative goal" was to gather data, which would then inform the broader research project."

What's a good alternative to using the phrase "preliminary goal"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "initial objective", "exploratory goal", or "pilot objective".

Is "preliminary goal" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "preliminary goal" is suitable for formal writing, especially in project proposals, research papers, and business reports, where clarity in defining initial objectives is crucial.

How does a "preliminary goal" differ from a final goal?

A "preliminary goal" is a short-term, initial objective. A final goal is the ultimate outcome or result you aim to achieve. The "preliminary goal" often sets the stage for achieving the "final goal".