provisional proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provisional proposal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a suggestion or plan that is temporary and subject to change or approval. Example: "The committee has put forward a provisional proposal for the new policy, which will be reviewed in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Gaz Corfield, a target shooter and blogger, raised concerns about the commission's provisional proposal that it should be an offence to possess articles with the intention of using them unlawfully to convert imitation firearms into live firearms.

The Guardian - Opinion

A provisional proposal needs to be circulated among EU leaders before 4 February to stand any chance of a final agreement being reached before March.Mr Cameron is expected to speak to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel this week before joining her in Hamburg on 12 February.

Independent

Cusan "conjecture" is not to be taken as what we normally mean by the word in contemporary English where it covers the range from a guess or hunch to a typical surmise to a provisional proposal to be investigated or checked against usually empirical evidence.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Camden has published provisional proposals for pared-back spending.

The Guardian

Professor David Ormerod QC, the law commissioner responsible for this project, has helpfully summarised his provisional proposals in a short video presentation.

The Guardian - Opinion

It contained only provisional proposals, much had been left for the parties to negotiate in the run-up to the midnight deadline on Thursday.

The Guardian

And yet the Law Commission's provisional proposals have not been greeted with unalloyed joy from everyone, including the licensed firearms community.

The Guardian - Opinion

The CMA said the team, numbering up to 40 people, would aim to beat the new deadline by releasing its provisional proposals in January and publishing its final decision by the end of April.

The Guardian - Business

But Professor David Ormerod, the law commissioner responsible for the contempt of court consultation, told the newspaper: "In drafting our provisional proposals, we considered freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act, which covers the press's right to report and the public's right to know.

The Guardian

The provisional proposals were originally launched by the Boundary Commission in September 2011.

BBC

"The next step in the process will be the publication of the commission's provisional proposals for the new boundaries for public consultation towards the end of the year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provisional proposal", clarify the conditions or timeline for its potential finalization. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid treating a "provisional proposal" as a definitive plan. Clearly state that it's subject to change and further discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provisional proposal" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "provisional" modifies the noun "proposal". It describes a plan or suggestion that is temporary, preliminary, or subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provisional proposal" is a grammatically sound and correctly employed phrase that refers to a temporary or preliminary suggestion or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Though not exceedingly common, its use is appropriate across various formal contexts such as news, science, and business. Remember to clarify the tentative nature of any "provisional proposal" to avoid misinterpretations and ensure clarity. Consider using alternatives like "tentative plan" or "draft recommendation" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tentative plan

Replaces 'proposal' with 'plan', highlighting the preliminary nature.

Preliminary suggestion

Uses 'suggestion' instead of 'proposal', emphasizing the idea is still being considered.

Draft recommendation

Implies a formal suggestion that is still subject to revision.

Interim arrangement

Focuses on the temporary and transitional aspect of the proposal.

Experimental scheme

Highlights the exploratory and unproven nature of the proposal.

Conditional offer

Emphasizes that the proposal depends on certain conditions being met.

Working hypothesis

Used in a scientific context, this denotes a proposal for investigation.

Unconfirmed initiative

Stresses the lack of official confirmation for the proposal.

Temporary measure

Indicates that the proposal is intended as a short-term solution.

Trial balloon

An informal proposal floated to gauge public reaction.

FAQs

How to use "provisional proposal" in a sentence?

You can use "provisional proposal" when referring to a plan or suggestion that is not yet final and is subject to change, like in the sentence "The committee presented a "provisional proposal" for budget cuts pending further review".

What can I say instead of "provisional proposal"?

Alternatives include "tentative plan", "preliminary suggestion", or "draft recommendation", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "provisional proposal" or "preliminary proposal"?

Both phrases are generally correct and interchangeable. However, "provisional proposal" suggests a more formal or official temporary suggestion, while "preliminary proposal" may simply indicate an early-stage idea.

What's the difference between "provisional agreement" and "provisional proposal"?

"Provisional agreement" refers to a temporary consensus or accord, while "provisional proposal" suggests a temporary plan or suggestion. The key difference lies in whether an agreement has been reached (even if temporary) or if it's still in the suggestion phase. The first applies more in situations like a "conditional offer".