provisional air

USAGE SUMMARY

"provisional air" is not correct and not usable in written English.
This phrase does not have a distinct meaning and does not make sense on its own.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Morphoses does have a provisional air.

The New York Times - Arts

The New Museum's triennial, "The Ungovernables," takes its name from the 1976 student uprisings in South Africa; works by thirty-four artists and collectives are loosely inspired by the provisional air and site-specificity of political protest.

The New Yorker

Art The New Irascibles The New Museum's triennial, "The Ungovernables," takes its name from the 1976 student uprisings in South Africa; works by thirty-four artists and collectives are loosely inspired by the provisional air and site-specificity of political protest.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The New Museum's triennial, "The Ungovernables," takes its name from the 1976 student uprisings in South Africa; works by thirty-four artists and collectives are loosely inspired by the provisional air and site-specificity of political protest.

The New Yorker

Ascribable to this communal perspective, perhaps, are the sententious opinions that occasionally interrupt scenes, such as this about the Senguptas' maid: "the poor have a special ability, after all, to understand the torments of their employers, to empathise with them"; or when it is said of a flower arranger that she has "the efficient but somewhat provisional air of a working woman".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But Britain objects to the provisional air-travel accord, contending that America has failed to give European airlines sufficient access to its own market.

The Economist

There's a provisional, close-call air to each painting, which I think owes less to her spontaneous method than to her appraising taste: the long look afterward to decide if something had worked or not.

The New Yorker

Mr. Boland noted that even with provisional approval from the air transportation board, US Airways still had to resort to Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The New York Times

As soon as the agents had word that Kassar was in the air, they filed a provisional arrest warrant with Interpol and staked out the airport in Madrid.

The New Yorker

Miss Brodie's essential air of defiant superiority seems merely provisional, which is all too evident when she loses her cool in argument with other adults.

The New York Times

Almost every sentence begins with the words "Sometimes I …", which gives her words a provisional quality and means they can hang in the air like inscrutable Chinese proverbs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "provisional air" with clearer alternatives such as "temporary feeling" or "uncertain atmosphere" for better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "provisional air" in contexts requiring precision. Opt for terms that explicitly define the nature of the temporary or uncertain state to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provisional air" functions as a descriptive term, attempting to characterize an atmosphere or feeling as temporary or subject to change. However, according to Ludwig, this phrase lacks a distinct meaning and is not considered standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provisional air" seeks to describe a temporary or uncertain atmosphere. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not considered correct or standard English. Its limited usage in news and books does not establish it as a reliable expression. For clearer and more effective communication, consider using alternatives like "temporary feeling" or "uncertain atmosphere". These options provide greater clarity and are more grammatically sound, ensuring your message is well-received and understood. Focus on specific and descriptive language to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary atmosphere

Emphasizes the transient nature of the environment or feeling.

uncertain feeling

Highlights the lack of confidence or definiteness in the emotion.

transient mood

Focuses on the short-lived nature of the emotional state.

unsettled ambiance

Describes an atmosphere that is not calm or stable.

tenuous environment

Suggests a fragile or delicate surrounding.

fleeting impression

Highlights the brief and passing nature of the perception.

makeshift arrangement

Conveys a sense of something put together quickly and temporarily.

tentative approach

Suggests a cautious and hesitant manner.

conditional agreement

Emphasizes that the agreement depends on certain conditions being met.

preliminary stage

Focuses on the initial phase of a process, which is subject to change.

FAQs

What does "provisional" mean?

The term "provisional" means temporary or conditional. It suggests that something is subject to change or is not yet finalized.

Is "provisional" a formal word?

"Provisional" is generally considered a formal word suitable for business, academic, and news contexts.

What can I say instead of "provisional"?

You can use alternatives like /s/temporary, /s/conditional, or /s/interim depending on the specific context.

How can I improve clarity when describing something as "provisional"?

Provide specific details about the conditions or timeframe associated with the /s/provisional status to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the agreement is provisional", specify "the agreement is provisional pending legal review".