preliminary response

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary response" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to refer to a response or reaction that has been given before something is finalized or resolved. For example, "The company gave a preliminary response to the customer's request for a refund, but the final outcome has yet to be determined."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

§ 42.107 Preliminary response to petition.

Cornell University

Cable will only give a preliminary response.

The Guardian

The ruling was a preliminary response to eBay's assertion that the case should be dismissed.

The New York Times

The investigations have validated the effectiveness of using the theoretical model to perform preliminary response analysis.

Measurement

8.56am: According to the BBC, Vince Cable will only issue a "preliminary" response to the report when he makes a statement on it in the Commons this afternoon.

The Guardian

Mismanagement or a delayed preliminary response can yield fatal damage to a ship, including the loss of lives.

Ocean Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Preliminary Responses Provided by Chinese Taipei to the Checklist of Accession Issues on 26-27 July 1994. 26-27 July 1994

Stanford University

At a hearing on March 27th, they unveiled a list of preliminary responses to these allegations.

The Economist

Preliminary responses to glucose addition showed an enhanced performance by applying an electrophoretic deposition potential of +1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 30 min.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

We offer some preliminary responses, suggesting that the line between public and private firms may begin to blur as the balance between agency costs and the benefits of public ownership shift toward a new equilibrium.

Columbia University

For further adjustments of the preliminary responses and for validation of the final fluence response matrix of the Romanian Bonner sphere spectrometer, calibration measurements with a reference 252Cf neutron source and joint measurements, including the PTB Bonner sphere spectrometer, were performed in a few neutron fields differing substantially in their spectral distributions.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preliminary response" when you are providing an early, incomplete answer or feedback.

Common error

Avoid making critical decisions based solely on a "preliminary response". Always seek confirmation or a comprehensive analysis before taking action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary response" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" is an adjective modifying the noun "response". Ludwig examples show it describing early reactions in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

28%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary response" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an initial reaction or answer. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, particularly in science, news, formal business and academic settings. When using the phrase, it's important to set clear expectations that a more detailed or final response may follow, and avoid making critical decisions based solely on it. Alternatives like "initial reply" or "early feedback" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial reply

Replaces "response" with "reply" and "preliminary" with "initial", emphasizing the early stage of the answer.

early feedback

Focuses on the feedback aspect, using "early" instead of "preliminary" to highlight the timing.

initial reaction

Substitutes "response" with "reaction", stressing the initial action or feeling triggered by something.

first answer

Uses simpler terms to convey the concept of an initial reply.

provisional answer

Replaces "preliminary" with "provisional", indicating that the answer is subject to change.

tentative feedback

Uses "tentative" to suggest that the feedback is not yet firm or final.

early indication

Shifts the focus to an early sign or hint of a response, rather than the full response itself.

preliminary assessment

Emphasizes the evaluation aspect of the response being initial.

first take

Informal way to say the initial perspective or reaction.

quick retort

Suggests an immediate and brief answer.

FAQs

What does "preliminary response" mean?

A "preliminary response" is an initial or early reaction or answer given before a final or more detailed response is available. It indicates that the information provided is subject to change or further development.

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

You can use "preliminary response" in a sentence like this: "The company issued a "preliminary response" to the allegations, promising a full investigation."

What can I say instead of "preliminary response"?

You can use alternatives like "initial reply", "early feedback", or "initial reaction" depending on the context.

Is a "preliminary response" a complete and final answer?

No, a "preliminary response" is not a complete and final answer. It is an initial indication and may be followed by a more detailed or definitive response later.