preliminary plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary plan" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a plan that has been initially proposed and is subject to changes or revisions. For example: "We discussed the preliminary plan for the project and agreed to make some adjustments to the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The task force's report refined a preliminary plan announced two months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

The preliminary plan will be sent back to the Security Council, which is to draft a final text.

The New York Times

Mr. Gulotta has raised eyebrows with a preliminary plan that he has brought to financial meetings over the past month.

The New York Times

They are also more protective of the environment than a preliminary plan unveiled by the Obama administration last year.

The New York Times

Compare colleges that interest you, and write a preliminary plan that explains how you plan to pay for college.

The New York Times

The Kroll-O'Gara Company said yesterday that it had formed a preliminary plan to split its two main operations -- security products and investigations -- into independent publicly held corporations.

The New York Times

My Sunday box began to take shape on Wednesday, when Mr. Kinsel drew up a preliminary plan with David Camacho, his field manager since 1993.

The New York Times

The letter invites families to make any revisions to a preliminary plan, previously submitted with the original application, to distribute the compensation money.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Keefe, repeating assurances that the agency gave on Monday, when it issued its preliminary plan to resume shuttle missions, replied that the March goal was very flexible.

The New York Times

For the displaced elementary school students, the preliminary plan is to keep classmates together but perhaps to double up classes, several parent association members said.

The New York Times

Russia unveiled a preliminary plan today that would give foreign investors easier access to shares of Gazprom, the world's largest gas company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "preliminary plan", clearly state that it is subject to change and further development to manage expectations and encourage feedback.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary plan" as a definitive strategy. Regularly review and update it based on new information and evolving circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary plan" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an initial or early-stage strategy or proposal, indicating that the plan is not yet final. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary plan" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a strategy or proposal that is in the early stages of development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse fields like news, science, and business. When using "preliminary plan", remember to emphasize its tentative nature and the possibility of future changes to avoid misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "initial blueprint" or "preliminary proposal" can provide subtle variations in meaning, depending on the specific context. The most frequent sources for this phrase are "The New York Times", "The Economist" and "TechCrunch".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial blueprint

Replaces "plan" with "blueprint", implying a more visual or technical initial design.

preliminary proposal

Substitutes "plan" with "proposal", emphasizing the suggestive and non-binding nature of the initial plan.

initial scheme

Uses "scheme" instead of "plan", which can sometimes imply a slightly less formal or detailed approach.

preliminary design

Replaces "plan" with "design", highlighting the initial stages of creation or construction.

initial strategy

Substitutes "plan" with "strategy", suggesting a more focused and goal-oriented initial approach.

working draft

This is more explicit than a "preliminary plan", specifies that this is a document still being drafted.

initial roadmap

Replaces "plan" with "roadmap", implying a strategic overview with defined milestones.

provisional arrangement

Uses "provisional arrangement" instead of "preliminary plan", highlighting the impermanent and adaptable nature.

early stage concept

Emphasizes the early and conceptual nature of the plan, rather than a fully developed strategy.

test version

Suggests that the plan is under testing, it is not a proposal but the real thing with modifications and improvements to be made.

FAQs

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

You can use "preliminary plan" to describe an initial proposal or strategy that is subject to further development and refinement. For example, "The team presented a preliminary plan for the marketing campaign."

What is another way to say "preliminary plan"?

Alternatives to "preliminary plan" include "initial blueprint", "preliminary proposal", or "initial strategy", depending on the specific context.

What does "preliminary" mean in the context of a "preliminary plan"?

In the context of a "preliminary plan", "preliminary" indicates that the plan is in its early stages of development and is not yet finalized. It implies that the plan is subject to change.

What is the difference between a "preliminary plan" and a final plan?

A "preliminary plan" is an initial draft or proposal that is subject to change, while a final plan is the approved and finalized version that is ready for implementation. The "preliminary plan" is a starting point, and the final plan is the result of revisions and approvals.