tentative decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is not yet definite or final. For example, "The court's tentative decision was to reject the application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yesterday's decision had been widely expected because Judge Ballachey issued a tentative decision two months ago.

The New York Times

Neither side is particularly pleased with Cannon's tentative decision on regulating soot emissions from heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The Washington Post

The Fire Department said its tentative decision to hire Officer McMellon was contingent on the police review.

The New York Times

Stanley Young, a spokesman for the Air Resources Board, said, "We are reviewing the tentative decision, and we'll respond in the allotted time".

The New York Times - Science

In the first week of December, Spitzer and his senior colleagues reached a tentative decision not to take any legal action against Weill.

The New Yorker

As one entrepreneur explained: "I think often I'll make a tentative decision on gut, and I could do that almost immediately.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But dads make the same tentative decisions we sons make.

The New Yorker

Tell them as little as possible about your own ideas, estimates, and tentative decisions.

Harvard Business Review

The negotiators flit from one emotional issue to another, sizing up sentiment, probing for agreement, making tentative decisions.

The New York Times

No explanation was given for the accelerated pace, which appears to have resulted from tentative decisions of all four defendants not to take the stand in their own defense, and the prosecution's willingness to pare the indictment by dropping some charges.

The New York Times

The reason is that the tentative decisions used in (24) are too erroneous.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tentative decision" when you want to convey that a decision is not yet final and might be subject to change based on new information or further consideration.

Common error

Avoid treating a "tentative decision" as a settled matter. Always acknowledge its provisional nature, and be prepared to revise it if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative decision" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a decision that is not yet final or fully confirmed, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative decision" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a decision that is not yet final and is subject to change. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts. The analysis indicates that it is frequently used in news, media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is crucial to acknowledge its provisional nature and be prepared for potential revisions. Alternatives such as "preliminary ruling" or "provisional agreement" may be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary ruling

Focuses on a ruling that is subject to change, often in a legal context.

provisional agreement

Implies an agreement reached on a trial basis, open to further negotiation.

initial conclusion

Refers to a conclusion drawn at an early stage, before all information is available.

conditional resolution

Highlights the dependence of the resolution on certain conditions being met.

interim determination

Suggests a temporary determination made while awaiting further information.

experimental verdict

Implies a decision that is testing out an idea.

trial judgment

Indicates a judgment made as part of a trial phase, not necessarily permanent.

unsettled outcome

Emphasizes the lack of finality in the outcome.

possible resolution

Suggests only one outcome.

working hypothesis

Focuses on the role of assumptions, especially useful in research.

FAQs

How can I use "tentative decision" in a sentence?

You can use "tentative decision" to describe an action that has been decided but is still subject to revision. For example, "The committee reached a tentative decision to postpone the event."

What phrases are similar to "tentative decision"?

Alternatives include "preliminary ruling", "provisional agreement", and "initial conclusion", each suggesting a decision that is not yet final.

What distinguishes a "tentative decision" from a final decision?

A "tentative decision" is provisional and subject to change, whereas a final decision is considered settled and binding unless appealed or new evidence emerges.

Is it appropriate to act on a "tentative decision"?

Acting on a "tentative decision" can be risky, especially without communicating its preliminary status. It's best to communicate clearly that actions are being taken based on a decision that may still evolve.