provisional figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provisional figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a temporary or preliminary estimate or number that may be subject to change. Example: "The provisional figure for the project's budget is set at $1 million, but this may be adjusted as more information becomes available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A spokesman for HMRC said: "The figure of £200m was a provisional figure.

Independent

(I've based this on a provisional figure of 239,000 turnout and a 2.14 million estimate of eligible population calculated from these general election figures).

The Guardian - Opinion

The 160,000 species proposed is a "provisional" figure, and includes almost all the nearly 65,000 species of vertebrates, and representative samples from the other groups.

The Guardian

On a bad day, it can seem as if the entirety of politics now rotates around a quarterly event: the release of the provisional figure for economic growth, or the lack of it.

The Guardian - Books

The $25,875 monthly rent is a provisional figure: once Mr. El-Gamal's rent is finally determined through the litigation process, he will owe Con Ed that new amount per month retroactive to August 2008, minus what he already paid.

The New York Times

But First Minister Carwyn Jones said while "not brilliant", the provisional figure of 35% was not "apocalyptic".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Provisional figures show the Greens got 8.8%, the BNP 6.6%.

The Guardian

But last year, births began to decline nationwide, by nearly 2percentt, according to provisional figures released last week.

The New York Times

According to provisional figures, 80.76% (1,861,7536 people) of participants voted yes to both questions.

The Guardian

However, these were provisional figures that may yet be revised upwards on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

So far, Japan's trade deficit for 2012, according to the ministry's provisional figures, is about ¥4.73tn.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always mention that the figure is subject to change due to ongoing data collection or analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "provisional figure" as a definitive or final value without clearly stating its temporary nature. Failing to do so can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provisional figure" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "provisional" modifies the noun "figure". It describes a numerical value that is subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provisional figure" is a grammatically correct and usable term referring to a preliminary estimate or value that is subject to change. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly employed in news, science, and business contexts to convey information about numbers that are not yet finalized. While alternatives such as "preliminary estimate" and "estimated value" exist, "provisional figure" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly state the source of the figure and acknowledge its potential for revision to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary estimate

This alternative suggests an early calculation that is subject to change.

estimated value

This term indicates an approximate value derived from available information.

initial projection

This phrase implies a forecast or prediction made at the beginning of a process.

tentative calculation

This suggests a calculation that is not yet finalized or confirmed.

rough approximation

This indicates a less precise estimate, often used when detailed data is lacking.

early indication

This phrase suggests a first sign or signal of a potential outcome.

projected number

This implies a number that is predicted based on current data and trends.

temporary sum

This suggests a sum that is expected to be updated or replaced.

preliminary total

This term refers to an initial sum that is subject to further adjustments.

working number

This phrase implies a number used for calculations and planning, which is not yet final.

FAQs

How can I use "provisional figure" in a sentence?

You can use "provisional figure" to refer to a preliminary or temporary value that is subject to change. For example: "The "provisional figure" for the budget is $1 million."

What's the difference between "provisional figure" and "preliminary estimate"?

"Provisional figure" and "preliminary estimate" are very similar. Both refer to values that are not yet final, but "provisional figure" might imply a slightly more formal or official context.

What are some alternatives to using "provisional figure"?

You can use alternatives like "estimated value", "initial projection", or "tentative calculation" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the figure is provisional"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, "provisional figure" is a more common and natural-sounding collocation. Saying "the figure is provisional" is understandable but less idiomatic.