preliminary meeting

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary meeting" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a meeting that takes place before a more significant or official meeting, often used to discuss initial ideas, gather information, or set the agenda for the main meeting. Example: The team held a preliminary meeting to discuss their project proposal and gather feedback from stakeholders before presenting it at the annual conference.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Memorandum: Meeting Agenda for Preliminary Meeting of Employment Department Co-ordinating Group.

Cornell University

Officials and ministers will meet this November for a preliminary meeting in Poland.

The Guardian

Friday's sortie was a preliminary meeting.

The Guardian

"It was a preliminary meeting," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a very preliminary meeting," the candidate said.

The Washington Post

"We had one preliminary meeting to essentially just see if they would show up for even a preliminary meeting," Mrs. Clinton said.

The New York Times

American and Russian officials held a preliminary meeting in Geneva, the venue for the projected talks.

Independent

"We had a difficult preliminary meeting," Donetsk separatist region mediator Denis Pushilin told a pro-separatist news site.

The Guardian

The first preliminary meeting will include leaders from the Dairy Cooperative, Environmental Action League, and Arcadia Environmental Quality Agency.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Describing the talks as a "preliminary meeting," Mr. Erekat said: "I really don't want to raise anyone's expectations or exaggerate the results".

The New York Times

Before you begin your dissertation, you have a preliminary meeting with your advisers when they tell you what they think of your plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling a "preliminary meeting", ensure all attendees understand its limited scope and objectives to avoid confusion or unmet expectations.

Common error

Don't treat a "preliminary meeting" as a decision-making forum. Emphasize its purpose is to explore options and gather information, reserving final decisions for later.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary meeting" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary meeting" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe an initial meeting intended for exploration, information gathering, and planning. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, denoting its versatility across different fields. To enhance clarity in your writing, remember that a "preliminary meeting" should not be mistaken for a decision-making session, but rather a foundational step for future discussions. Using alternatives like "initial conference" or "introductory session" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial conference

Replaces "meeting" with "conference", implying a more formal gathering.

introductory session

Emphasizes the purpose of introducing a topic or team.

preparatory discussion

Focuses on the act of preparing for a future event through discussion.

advance consultation

Highlights the consultative nature of the meeting and its occurrence in advance of something.

opening briefing

Suggests a formal presentation of information at the start of a process.

kick-off meeting

An informal term indicating the start of a project or initiative.

scoping session

Focuses on defining the scope of a project or issue.

exploratory talk

Highlights the purpose of exploring different ideas or options.

prior consultation

Emphasizes that the consultation happens before a specific action.

groundwork discussion

Focuses on laying the foundation for future actions or decisions.

FAQs

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

Use "preliminary meeting" to specify that the meeting is an initial discussion intended to set the stage for future actions. For example, "The team held a "preliminary meeting" to outline the project's goals."

What are some alternatives to "preliminary meeting"?

You can use alternatives like "initial conference", "introductory session", or "preparatory discussion" depending on the context.

What is the purpose of having a "preliminary meeting"?

The primary purpose of a "preliminary meeting" is to discuss initial ideas, gather information, and plan for future, more decisive meetings. It helps to set the agenda and ensure all participants are on the same page.

How does a "preliminary meeting" differ from a regular meeting?

A "preliminary meeting" is typically less formal and focuses on exploration and planning. Regular meetings often involve decision-making and progress updates, while a preliminary meeting sets the groundwork for these later discussions.