provisional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'provisional' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been arranged but is subject to change; or something that is made as a temporary measure. For example: "The company is moving forward with a provisional agreement until a permanent solution can be found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Coach James Hird didn't know if his men could last the distance, given 13 of them hadn't played a single pre-season match while serving provisional suspensions.

The Guardian - Sport

Iranian media outlets, before and after the sultan's visit, have claimed that he has received provisional US approval for his proposals.

The Guardian

The provisional leadership that replaced him engineered constitutional changes to enhance parliamentary powers at the expense of the executive.

The Guardian

His initial profile helped police to identify a provisional pool of 60 people they want to question.

The Guardian

We just felt we needed to file for provisional measures because this was our last chance to get reinstated.

The Guardian - Sport

Although, according to provisional calculations, exports of goods and services were slightly up at the beginning of 2015 compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, imports recorded a much stronger increase".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is now beyond doubt that by the early 1990s the British state had agents littered all over the most effective paramilitary movement in the western world – the Provisional IRA.

The Guardian

At the time, the RUC was facing the enmity of not only the Provisional IRA but also extreme loyalists, who were burning police officers out of their homes because the force had been asked to physically defend the new Anglo-Irish Secretariat building on the outskirts of east Belfast.

The Guardian

He decided that Sinn Fein, the political label used by the Provisional IRA, should be engaged in the political process.

The Guardian

But he remained hostile to the Provisional IRA, joining forces in the Lords in 1999 with an old opponent, the former Ulster Unionist leader James (now Lord) Molyneaux, to oppose the immunity given, under the Good Friday agreement, to IRA killers after the graves of vanished victims of IRA violence were revealed.

The Guardian

In the early years of the conflict, many Protestant working-class communities were decimated as people fled the threat of the Provisional IRA and the dreadnoughts of their local loyalist paramilitaries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provisional", clearly state the conditions or timeframe that will lead to a more permanent arrangement. This adds clarity and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "provisional" when a decision or arrangement is intended to be final. "Provisional" inherently implies a temporary or conditional status.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "provisional" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are temporary, conditional, or subject to future change. As Ludwig highlights, it suggests something arranged with the intention of becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "provisional" functions primarily as an adjective, indicating that something is temporary and subject to change. As Ludwig confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is considered very common across news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "provisional", ensure clarity by specifying the conditions or timeframe for its potential replacement. Avoid confusing it with terms implying permanence. Consider alternatives like "temporary" or "tentative" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary

Emphasizes the limited duration of something.

tentative

Highlights the experimental or unconfirmed nature of something.

interim

Suggests a position or arrangement meant to fill a gap until a permanent one is established.

conditional

Indicates dependence on certain conditions being met.

preliminary

Refers to something done in preparation or as an introduction.

acting

Describes someone temporarily performing the duties of a position.

probationary

Implies a trial period to assess suitability or performance.

stopgap

Denotes something used as a temporary solution.

makeshift

Suggests a temporary and often improvised solution.

ad interim

Latin term indicating a temporary appointment or solution.

FAQs

How can I use "provisional" in a sentence?

Use "provisional" to describe arrangements, agreements, or measures that are temporary and subject to change. For example, "The company is operating under a provisional license.".

What are some alternatives to "provisional"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "temporary", "tentative", or "interim".

Is there a difference between "provisional" and "temporary"?

"Provisional" often implies a more formal or official temporary arrangement, whereas "temporary" is a more general term for something not permanent.

What is a "provisional" ballot?

A "provisional" ballot is a vote cast when a voter's eligibility is uncertain. It's counted only after election officials verify the voter's registration and eligibility.