Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
provisional responses
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "provisional responses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to temporary or preliminary answers that may be subject to change or further clarification. Example: "The committee provided provisional responses to the questions raised during the meeting, pending further review."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
With that in mind, here are provisional responses to three questions that a careful reader might have about my argument.
News & Media
A new method, PRACK has been defined to allow clients to request that provisional responses are retransmitted by the server until received by the client.
Academia
In the base SIP specification, provisional responses (100 through 199, also called informational) are transmitted on a best-effort basis, i.e., without guarantee that the client will receive a particular response.
Academia
Related specifications are: RFC 3262 (Reliability of Provisional Responses in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)), RFC 3263 (Session Initiation Protocol (SIP): Locating SIP Servers), RFC 3264 (An Offer/Answer Model with Session Description Protocol (SDP)), RFC 3265 (Session Initiation Protocol (SIP -Specific Event Notification), and RFC 3266 (SIP -SpecificPv6 in SEventNotificationn Protocol (SDP)).
Academia
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
The Reason header field is also intended to be used to encapsulate a final status code in a provisional response.
Academia
On 2 February, Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, released a letter containing a provisional response to Cameron's renegotiation proposals.
News & Media
Prack is an SIP Provisional Response used as an acknowledgment.
As a response to the INVITE request, the callee answers with a provisional response (100 Trying).
This extension includes three messages: a 183 (Session progress) provisional response, a PRACK and its corresponding 200 (OK) response to the PRACK.
Next, the second provisional response (180 Ringing) is used so that the caller can know that the user agent contacted is running and trying to notify the callee.
This section describes some proposals in which LP-SIP is based, namely, SIP [1], the model offer/answer [22] and the provisional response acknowledgement (PRACK) [23] method.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "provisional responses", clarify the conditions under which these responses might change. This adds transparency and manages expectations effectively.
Common error
Avoid treating "provisional responses" as final decisions. Always emphasize their preliminary nature to prevent misunderstandings.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "provisional responses" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "provisional" modifies the noun "responses". According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that the responses are temporary or preliminary.
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Academia
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "provisional responses" denotes answers or feedback that are preliminary and subject to change. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to manage expectations by indicating that the information provided is not yet final. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When employing "provisional responses", it's best to clarify the conditions under which these answers may change. Remember to treat them as preliminary, highlighting their temporary nature to avoid misunderstandings.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
tentative answers
Replaces 'provisional' with 'tentative', emphasizing the uncertainty of the responses.
preliminary replies
Substitutes 'provisional' with 'preliminary' and 'responses' with 'replies', indicating an early stage of answering.
initial feedback
Focuses on the beginning stages of feedback rather than complete answers.
temporary reactions
Highlights the short-term nature of the responses, using 'temporary' instead of 'provisional'.
interim feedback
Using 'interim' suggests a temporary or in-between stage of providing feedback.
conditional replies
Indicates that the replies are dependent on certain conditions being met.
qualified responses
Emphasizes that the responses come with certain limitations or qualifications.
subject to change responses
Directly states the mutable nature of the responses.
early stage answers
Focuses on the timing of the answers being in the early stages of development.
working responses
Implies the responses are still being developed or refined.
FAQs
How do I use "provisional responses" in a formal context?
In formal contexts, "provisional responses" should be presented with clear caveats, acknowledging their preliminary nature. For example, "We can offer "tentative answers" now, but these are subject to further investigation and revision."
What's the difference between "provisional responses" and "final answers"?
"Provisional responses" are temporary and subject to change, reflecting an incomplete understanding or ongoing process. In contrast, "final answers" represent the conclusive outcome of an investigation or decision-making process. Think of "preliminary replies" vs finalized conclusions.
Can I use synonyms for "provisional responses"?
Yes, you can use synonyms such as ""tentative answers"", ""preliminary replies"", or "initial feedback", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.
When is it appropriate to offer "provisional responses"?
It is appropriate to offer "provisional responses" when you need to provide some information or guidance in the short term, but full or complete information is not yet available, or "subject to change responses" are expected.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested