provisional idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provisional idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a temporary or tentative concept that may change or be refined later. Example: "The team presented a provisional idea for the new marketing strategy, which will be discussed further in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The FBI now has a provisional idea of the route Alexis took.

The Guardian

In its "provisional idea" for acceptable levels of radiation in schoolyards, the education ministry cited a 2009 recommendation from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), an Ottawa-based nongovernmental organization.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Questions evolved as recruitment and interviewing progressed, with subsequent interviews becoming more specific in order to help the development of provisional ideas and theories.

BMJ Open

Some concrete actions to move this learning agenda forward are described in Table  3.> Our intent was to translate knowledge, from both the literature and experts, into some provisional ideas about improved practice.

Human Resources for Health

Black, who made skilful use of mathematical models on the road to discovering antagonists of β-adrenergic receptors, was certainly not equating mathematical models with 'pathetic thinking' (as some people believe) but rather suggesting that mathematical models could be useful in turning our provisional ideas about molecular biology into real knowledge about living cells.

BMC Biology

The provisional government idea is gone, he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Bremer had quickly jettisoned the provisional government idea, telling Iraqi political figures that they were not representative of the Iraqi people.

The New York Times

The Big Dipper, like any constellation, is a manmade idea, provisional, almost childish in its simplicity.

The New York Times - Arts

They're all tenuous and provisional, a clever little idea they had; it'd be nice, but it doesn't really matter one way or the other.

Vice

Mr. Abbas is said by associates to hate the idea of a provisional state.

The New York Times

"Provisional balloting is an excellent idea," said Heather K. Gerken, who teaches election law at Harvard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "provisional idea", clearly state that it is subject to change and further refinement to avoid misunderstandings and premature commitments.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "provisional idea" as a definitive solution. Always frame it as a starting point for discussion and development, not as a final decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provisional idea" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "provisional" modifies the noun "idea". It indicates that the idea is preliminary, tentative, or subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provisional idea" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a preliminary or tentative concept. Although it's not extremely common, Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is valid across various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by emphasizing its non-final nature. Consider alternatives like "tentative notion" or "preliminary concept" to best fit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tentative notion

Emphasizes the uncertain and unconfirmed nature of the idea.

preliminary concept

Focuses on the idea being an initial step in a development process.

initial thought

Highlights the idea as a starting point, likely to be further developed.

rough plan

Implies a basic structure of the idea, lacking in detail and refinement.

working hypothesis

Suggests an idea that is being tested and is subject to change based on findings.

early draft

Highlights the idea as being in its early stages and not fully developed.

undeveloped scheme

Focuses on the potential, but also the incompleteness, of the idea.

speculative theory

Emphasizes the uncertain and investigatory nature of the idea.

nascent concept

Highlights the newness and potential for growth of the idea.

exploratory thought

Suggests that the idea is used to investigate an issue and is open to many possibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "provisional idea" to describe a concept that is preliminary and subject to change. For example, "The team presented a "provisional idea" for the new marketing campaign."

What's a good alternative to "provisional idea"?

Alternatives to "provisional idea" include "tentative notion", "preliminary concept", or "initial thought". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is it appropriate to use "provisional idea" in formal writing?

Yes, "provisional idea" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing plans or concepts that are still under development or subject to change.

How does a "provisional idea" differ from a "final plan"?

A "provisional idea" is a starting point, open to modifications, while a "final plan" represents a settled and agreed-upon course of action. A "provisional idea" becomes a final plan after refinement and approval.