provisional plan

USAGE SUMMARY

'provisional plan' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a plan which is subject to change or has not yet been finalized. For example, "We've developed a provisional plan for remodeling the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And though she had arrived at a provisional plan, the younger Ms. Zaffarano, Ms. Seibel's daughter, could not promise to stick with it.

The New York Times

With four of the most prominent American designers going forward with at least informal showings -- much like those the industry had years ago -- a provisional plan to reschedule the 2002 collections in late October now seems in doubt.

The New York Times - Style

"I find it helpful to think of the projections as functioning in three different ways: as a forecast, as a provisional plan and as an evaluation of certain long-run features of the economy," Ben S. Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said Wednesday in a speech at the Cato Institute, a libertarian research organization.

The New York Times

Its provisional plan is for 300 sustainability-themed street parties and an arts fiesta called The Festival of the Amazing.

BBC

"The provisional plan is to depart Rome tomorrow afternoon and arrive in the U.S. in the evening," he said.  .

Los Angeles Times

This decision should be considered by the team in advance of performing a general anaesthetic to make a provisional plan should failed intubation occur.

Anaesthesia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Provisional plans have New Horizons passing between Pluto and Charon at distances of 10,000km and 27,000km respectively.

The Guardian

They want to rebuild the country by themselves.The NTC has provisional plans to elect a "national congress" within eight months and draft a constitution in its first 60 days.

The Economist

Esa's confirmed date is actually a day later than the one that had been discussed in provisional planning in recent months.

BBC

In October 1956, the NTA Film Network also announced provisional plans to telecast live sporting and special events (using network relays) by the 1959 1960 television season.

Wikipedia

But this suggests accepting and working round disrupted plans, or making always provisional plans, due to his illness.

Health Psychology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "provisional plan", clearly state that it is subject to change and outline the factors that could influence its modification. This manages expectations and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Do not treat a "provisional plan" as if it were a finalized strategy. Failing to acknowledge its potential for change can lead to miscommunication, wasted effort, and ultimately, ineffective implementation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provisional plan" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "provisional" modifies the noun "plan". This indicates that the plan is not yet final and is subject to change. Ludwig confirms the consistent usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "provisional plan" signifies a plan that is subject to change and not yet finalized. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although it is relatively rare. It functions as a noun phrase, typically used to communicate tentativeness and manage expectations in various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly communicate the potential for change to avoid misunderstandings. Ludwig provides several alternative phrases, like "preliminary arrangement" or "tentative scheme", to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary arrangement

Replaces 'plan' with 'arrangement' and 'provisional' with 'preliminary', both suggesting a tentative nature.

tentative scheme

Substitutes 'plan' with 'scheme' and 'provisional' with 'tentative', emphasizing the exploratory nature of the plan.

temporary arrangement

Uses 'temporary' instead of 'provisional' to highlight the non-permanent aspect of the arrangement.

interim strategy

Replaces 'plan' with 'strategy' and 'provisional' with 'interim', suggesting a plan for a limited time.

initial blueprint

Emphasizes the beginning stage of planning, using 'initial' in place of 'provisional' and 'blueprint' for 'plan'.

rough roadmap

Replaces 'plan' with 'roadmap' indicating an overview and 'provisional' with 'rough' suggesting it needs further refinement.

working draft

Indicates a version of the plan that is still in progress and subject to modifications.

unconfirmed proposal

Highlights the uncertainty of the plan, replacing 'provisional' with 'unconfirmed'.

prearranged concept

Suggests a prior agreement is in place, but it is not set in stone.

fluid design

Highlights the adaptable nature of the approach.

FAQs

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

You can use "provisional plan" to describe an arrangement that is subject to changes. For instance, "The committee has agreed on a "provisional plan" for the conference, but details are still being finalized."

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

Alternatives include "preliminary plan", "tentative plan", or "initial plan". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between a "provisional plan" and a "final plan"?

A "provisional plan" is subject to change and is not yet fully approved. A "final plan" is the approved and completed version, ready for implementation.

When is it appropriate to use the term "provisional plan"?

Use "provisional plan" when you want to communicate that a plan is in progress and may be adjusted based on new information or circumstances. This is useful in early stages of project management or strategic planning.