preliminary work

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to preliminary activities that are done before starting a project or task. For example, "We need to do some preliminary work before we can launch the new website."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Preliminary work on the is scheduled to begin November.

The Guardian

Preliminary work has just started after decades of planning.

The New York Times

Preliminary work is now being done on the site.

The New York Times

Preliminary work has started for a fifth-phase expansion.

The Economist

Much of the preliminary work is done, but the remaining issues are excruciatingly difficult.

The New York Times

By 10 a.m., the preliminary work for "Sleeping Beauty" was complete.

The New York Times - Arts

The spokesman added that preliminary work had already been undertaken showing this to be the case.

The Guardian

The permanent construction project will begin with preliminary work during the six-week extension period.

The New York Times

Preliminary work on the centre's destruction is due to begin next month.

The Guardian

I am working on a biography of TJ.. doing the really preliminary work on that.

The New Yorker

A firm of foundation engineers: Moran, Proctor, Freeman & Mueser are conducting the preliminary work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing initial stages of a project, use "preliminary work" to clearly indicate that these are preparatory activities and not the main undertaking.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "preliminary work". While essential, it should be presented as a stepping stone to the core project, not the defining aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary work" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the initial activities or tasks undertaken to prepare for a larger project or undertaking. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to preparatory activities undertaken before a main task or project. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use across various contexts, though more prevalent in science, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you're accurately representing the scope and importance of the initial activities in relation to the overall project. Related phrases include "initial work" and "preparatory work", offering alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial work

Focuses on the starting phase of the work.

preparatory work

Emphasizes the act of preparing for something.

early stage work

Highlights that the work is in its initial phases.

groundwork

Implies foundational work that sets the stage for future activities.

developmental work

Highlights initial activities contributing to a future development.

exploratory work

Suggests work done to investigate or explore possibilities.

feasibility study

Highlights the initial investigation to determine project viability.

pilot study

Highlights a small-scale initial study to assess feasibility.

scoping study

Highlights a project assessment in order to determine project parameters.

background research

Emphasizes the research aspect of preliminary activities.

FAQs

How do I use "preliminary work" in a sentence?

You can use "preliminary work" to describe the initial activities undertaken before a larger project begins. For example, "The engineers completed the "preliminary work" on the bridge design."

What are some alternatives to saying "preliminary work"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "initial work", "preparatory work", or "groundwork" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "preliminary works" instead of "preliminary work"?

While "work" can sometimes be plural, "preliminary work" is generally used as a non-count noun to refer to the overall preparatory effort. "Preliminary works" is less common but can be used when referring to multiple distinct preliminary projects.

What's the difference between "preliminary work" and "exploratory work"?

"Preliminary work" broadly refers to any work done in preparation, while "exploratory work" specifically refers to investigations or research done to understand a topic or problem before taking further action.