preliminary review

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary review" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial examination of something. For example, "The committee conducted a preliminary review of the documents before making their final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The regulator said it has completed a preliminary review.

The New York Times

Attorney General Janet Reno announced a preliminary review last week.

The New York Times - Sports

§ 51.103 Submission of plans, preliminary review of plans.

Cornell University

Completed First-Year (a.k.a., Third-Quarter or Preliminary) Review.

Stanford University

In the preliminary review, the federal agency found severe failures in several areas.

The New York Times

Dr. Lacy said a preliminary review found that the nursing home was not at fault.

The New York Times

A preliminary review indicated that the shooting was justified, the police said.

The New York Times

Sales increased to $475 million to $485 million, based on a preliminary review, the company said.

The New York Times

And from April through June, it only started one new preliminary review.

The Washington Post

According to a PriceWaterhouse Coopers preliminary review, 2012 venture funding has actually declined.

Harvard Business Review

Elias wrote that no evidence of wrongdoing had emerged in their preliminary review.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, clarify the scope of the "preliminary review". Specify what aspects were covered and what were not to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting results from a "preliminary review" as definitive conclusions. Clearly communicate that the findings are subject to change pending further analysis or investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary review" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting an initial assessment or examination. Ludwig shows examples where it modifies nouns like "investigation" or "assessment."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary review" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies an initial assessment or examination, often indicating that further analysis might be required. Its usage is prevalent across news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "initial assessment" or "early evaluation" exist, the choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid overstating findings from a preliminary review and clearly communicate its scope. Ludwig’s examples showcase its broad application across diverse domains, solidifying its place as a standard term for initial evaluations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial assessment

Focuses more on evaluation and less on the process of reviewing.

pre-assessment

A more concise term for an assessment that occurs beforehand.

early evaluation

Highlights the timing and the act of judging something's worth.

introductory analysis

Emphasizes the analytical aspect and the introductory nature.

exploratory study

Implies a more investigative and less formal approach.

pilot inspection

Suggests a test run or small-scale examination.

feasibility study

Focuses on determining if something is practical or viable.

cursory examination

Indicates a quick, perhaps superficial, look.

initial investigation

Suggests a deeper dive, more oriented towards fact-finding.

first look

A more informal term indicating an initial observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "preliminary review" to describe an initial assessment or examination, such as: "The regulator said it has completed a "preliminary review"." or "A "preliminary review" indicated that the shooting was justified, the police said."

What's the difference between "preliminary review" and "final review"?

"Preliminary review" refers to an initial assessment, while "final review" represents the concluding evaluation, often incorporating feedback from earlier stages.

What can I say instead of "preliminary review"?

Alternatives include "initial assessment", "early evaluation", or "introductory analysis", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to conduct a "preliminary review"?

A "preliminary review" is appropriate when you need an initial understanding of a situation or data set before committing to a more in-depth analysis. It's useful for identifying potential issues or areas that require further attention.