preliminary total

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary total" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial or provisional sum that may be subject to change as more information becomes available. Example: "The preliminary total of the project costs is estimated to be around $50,000, but we will provide a final figure after further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Instead, a preliminary total of $60,000 worth of sculptures were sold.

The New York Times - Arts

The town of Marion posted a preliminary total of 18.13 inches.

The Washington Post

The preliminary total for the season: 14 named storms, 6 of them hurricanes, 2 of them major.

The New York Times

That preliminary total did not include donations from corporations or large private donations.

The New York Times

That 33 percent or so of the votes would be less than his preliminary total of 40.3 percent.

The New York Times

Burguan described the number of people killed as a preliminary total, adding that some of the people wounded in the shooting have serious injuries.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Suppose, for example, that the final count in Florida, where the preliminary totals show Mr. Bush ahead, confirms him as the winner.

The New York Times

Although official reports will not be released until late January, some campaigns choose to put out their preliminary totals early, especially when they are strong.

The New York Times

(While it does not have final figures for last year, its preliminary totals indicate an increase in the number of motorcycling deaths to 3,276, from 3,181 in 2001).

The New York Times

He said that while administration officials have come up with preliminary totals for the number of placards each agency holds, they have not compiled the names or job titles of the people who have them.

The New York Times

Voting closes at 7pm local time, but results will not start coming in until the early hours of Thursday, with the preliminary totals expected about 24 hours after polling stations close.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "preliminary total" with a specific date or time frame to provide context for when the initial calculation was made.

Common error

Avoid treating a "preliminary total" as a definitive value. Always indicate that the figure is subject to change and provide a timeline or condition for when the final total will be available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary total" functions as a noun phrase, where "preliminary" modifies the noun "total". It indicates an initial or provisional sum. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it precedes descriptions of amounts, counts, or assessments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preliminary total" is a grammatically correct and usable term, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used to describe an initial or provisional sum that is subject to change, commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While not extremely frequent, it serves the purpose of conveying an approximate value with the understanding that it's not yet the final figure. Remember to use it when you want to be upfront that more information is needed to arrive at a definitive number, and to avoid presenting it as a fixed value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial sum

Replaces "preliminary" with "initial", suggesting a starting value.

provisional amount

Stresses the temporary nature of the total.

estimated amount

Focuses on the approximated nature of the total.

first estimate

Highlights that it's the first calculation performed.

projected figure

Emphasizes a forecasted or predicted value.

initial assessment

Emphasizes that this is the first evaluation of the whole.

tentative calculation

Highlights the provisional and subject-to-change aspect.

approximate sum

Indicates an imprecise total.

early tally

Implies a count taken at an early stage.

starting number

Suggests a baseline figure that may be adjusted.

FAQs

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

You can use "preliminary total" to refer to an initial or provisional sum, for example: "The "preliminary total" of the fundraising campaign is $10,000, but we expect it to increase significantly by the end of the month."

What is a good substitute for "preliminary total"?

Alternatives to "preliminary total" include "initial sum", "estimated amount", or "projected figure" depending on the context.

What does "preliminary total" imply?

The term "preliminary total" indicates that the figure is not final and is subject to revision. It suggests that more information is needed to arrive at a definitive number.

When is it appropriate to use the term "preliminary total"?

Use "preliminary total" when presenting an initial calculation that will be updated later. This is common in financial reports, election results, and project estimates where data is still being collected or verified.