preliminary thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing an initial idea or consideration before further analysis or discussion. Example: "After some preliminary thought, I believe we should explore alternative solutions to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'm only just beginning to go through them, but I have a preliminary thought.

The New Yorker

Before taking up a novel like Scarlett Thomas's "Our Tragic Universe," with its playful and portentous fixations on riddles, paradoxes and Zen koans, it may be helpful to engage in a few preliminary thought experiments.

The New York Times - Books

As a preliminary thought experiment to gauge the potential relevance of these efforts to the struggle against terrorism in Arab lands, it occurred to us to accost a leading practitioner in the science of countering gangs.

Huffington Post

In his autobiography, Zinsser speaks of Nicolle's qualities as a scientist: Nicolle was one of those men who achieve their success by long preliminary thought, before an experiment is formulated, rather than by the frantic and often ill-conceived experimental activities that keep lesser men in ant-like agitation... Nicolle did relatively few and simple experiments.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These are a few preliminary thoughts, not in order.

The Economist

But Collins has already made his preliminary thoughts clear.

The New York Times

Yet even despite that spending, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham said recently that the department is "just beginning to formulate its preliminary thoughts about a transportation plan".

The New York Times

In the opening scene, Caesar's preliminary thoughts of a rapprochement with Pompey are abruptly superseded by the delivery of Pompey's severed head.

The Guardian - Music

Explain that you will return to these questions later, but ask for their preliminary thoughts about now, and note their answers on the board.

The New York Times

"We've had some very preliminary thoughts on whether or not we could align with a children's charity rather than just having another BBL game in a season of 30 or 40 games.

The Guardian - Sport

Ofcom has said it will publish its preliminary thoughts on the question early in the new year, promising Garner a busy end to his time at BT. BT is required to provide access to its network on equal terms to its competitors through Openreach's fibre broadband network.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "preliminary thought" with a clear indication of how you plan to expand on the idea. For example, "As a preliminary thought, this could be a good solution, but further research is needed."

Common error

Avoid presenting a "preliminary thought" as a definitive conclusion. Ensure it is clear that the idea is subject to change and requires further refinement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary thought" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "preliminary" modifies the noun "thought". It indicates an initial or early idea, suggestion, or reflection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary thought" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an initial idea or consideration. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and scientific publications. It’s best used when signaling that an idea is not yet fully developed and requires further investigation. Consider alternatives like "initial consideration" or "tentative idea" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial consideration

Emphasizes the starting point of thinking about something.

early notion

Highlights the nascent stage of an idea.

tentative idea

Suggests an idea that is not yet fully formed or certain.

initial hypothesis

Implies a starting point for investigation or testing.

preliminary assessment

Focuses on an early evaluation of something.

first impression

Highlights the immediate thought or feeling upon encountering something.

early conjecture

Suggests a guess or speculation made at an early stage.

starting premise

Highlights the foundational assumption upon which a line of reasoning is built.

rudimentary concept

Emphasizes the basic and underdeveloped nature of the idea.

basic assumption

Highlights a foundational belief taken for granted.

FAQs

What does "preliminary thought" mean?

A "preliminary thought" is an initial idea or consideration that is not yet fully developed or thoroughly researched. It's a starting point for further analysis or discussion.

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

You can use it to introduce an initial idea, for example: "After some preliminary thought, I believe we should explore alternative solutions to the problem."

What are some alternatives to "preliminary thought"?

You can use alternatives like "initial consideration", "tentative idea", or "early notion" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "preliminary thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "preliminary thought" is suitable for formal writing, especially when introducing an idea that requires further development or exploration. However, phrases like "initial assessment" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.