tentative deadline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative deadline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a deadline that is not fixed and may change or be adjusted later. Example: "The project has a tentative deadline of March 15, but we may extend it if needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The committee has a tentative deadline of April 14 to reach its conclusion.

The New York Times

Mr Wowereit craved the spotlight just one last time.He will formally step down on December 11th, a day before the airport's board is due to announce yet another tentative deadline for its first flights.

The Economist

Even as US and Iranian negotiators pursue talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with a tentative deadline approaching in two weeks, the realities of the war on Isis and its extremist Sunni Salafi ideology have bound the two powers together in unprecedented ways.

The Guardian - Opinion

Delta Air Lines and the union representing pilots agreed today to make a joint application for federal mediation and to set a negotiating schedule with a tentative deadline of April 1. "We view this as a positive development that provides for a relatively short, finite time frame to complete our contract negotiations," said Capt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Although they missed the deadline, a tentative accord was struck soon after, on 2 April.

BBC

Even though Mr. Bush had previously announced his intent to prevent a strike, Northwest and the union began a marathon negotiating session in Washington on Wednesday in an attempt to reach a tentative agreement before the strike deadline at midnight Sunday.

The New York Times

But the judges stopped short of selecting a new date, asking lawyers with the state Democratic and Republican Parties to outline new candidate filing periods and other deadlines using May 29 as a tentative date.

The New York Times

Delta Air Lines and its pilots reached a tentative contract settlement one week before a strike deadline.

The New York Times

Consolidated Edison and the union representing 9,200 of its workers averted a strike yesterday, reaching a tentative contract settlement four hours after a midnight deadline.

The New York Times

§ 900.28 Deadline for issuance of recommended decisions or tentative final decisions.

Cornell University

At issue was the Compton Unified School District's failure to pass a tentative budget for the upcoming year by the July 1 deadline required by state law.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative deadline", clarify the conditions under which the deadline might change to manage expectations and ensure transparency.

Common error

Avoid treating a "tentative deadline" as a fixed commitment. Communicate clearly that it is subject to change to prevent misunderstandings and potential disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative deadline" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is used to describe a deadline that is not final and may be subject to change.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentative deadline" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate a deadline that is not final and is subject to change. Ludwig confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in news and business contexts, implying a need for flexibility. While the phrase is acceptable in most settings, remember to clarify the potential for changes. Alternatives like "provisional deadline" or "estimated deadline" may suit different levels of formality. Overall, use "tentative deadline" when you need to communicate a target date with an understanding of possible adjustments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provisional deadline

Replaces "tentative" with "provisional", indicating a deadline set for the time being but subject to change.

Preliminary deadline

Uses "preliminary" instead of "tentative", suggesting a first or initial deadline that may be adjusted.

Estimated deadline

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the deadline, highlighting that it's a calculated guess.

Target deadline

Indicates a goal to be achieved by a specific date, but with the understanding that it might not be met.

Proposed deadline

Suggests that the deadline is under consideration but not yet officially approved.

Scheduled deadline

Implies the deadline is planned, but with a possibility of rescheduling.

Approximate deadline

Similar to "estimated deadline", stressing the inexact nature of the date.

Potential deadline

Highlights the possibility of the deadline being in place, but with no guarantee.

Possible deadline

Similar to "potential deadline", indicating a degree of uncertainty.

Working deadline

Suggests a deadline used for planning purposes, subject to adjustments as work progresses.

FAQs

What does "tentative deadline" mean?

A "tentative deadline" refers to a date set as a target for completion, but one that is subject to change or adjustment. It is not a firm or final deadline.

How to use "tentative deadline" in a sentence?

You can use "tentative deadline" in sentences like: "The "tentative deadline" for the project is set for next month, but it may be extended depending on resource availability".

What can I say instead of "tentative deadline"?

You can use alternatives like "provisional deadline", "preliminary deadline", or "estimated deadline" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "tentative deadline" in formal communication?

Yes, "tentative deadline" is appropriate, but it's crucial to clearly state that the deadline is not fixed and might be subject to change, especially in professional contexts.