tentative delivery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative delivery" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a delivery that is likely to occur, but is not guaranteed. For example: The store has promised a tentative delivery date of August 15.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's pretty much what happens to most of the gags and one-liners here, victims of soft timing and tentative delivery.

The New York Times

Director Garry Hynes keeps the staging to an austere minimum: in a barely furnished room, the shifting light and overhead projection of cloud formations are the only accompaniments to Marie Mullen's occasionally tentative delivery.

The Guardian

A number of users have reported that their order status has been changed to "Shipped", with a tentative delivery date of Friday, October 17th.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now, as then, the cold certainties of his rightwing pronouncements are difficult to square with their tentative, self-effacing delivery.

The Guardian

The staff was young and eager to please but a bit tentative in the delivery of dishes.

The New York Times

Last year when she performed a short showcase in New York soon after signing with Blue Note, she seemed tentative in her delivery.

Huffington Post

His delivery is tentative — within the first couple of pages he stumbles over the pronunciation of "the Dukes of Buccleuch" — and his eyes scan the lines studiously, as if he'd somehow skipped the novel when it was assigned in high school, and is unsure where the book will take him.

The New Yorker

5th over: England 20-1 (Vaughan 4, Bell 9) Bracken beats a rather tentative Vaughan with a lovely delivery.

The Guardian - Sport

Dernbach struck with his second delivery, forcing a tentative edge behind from Mohammad Hafeez to leave Pakistan on 1-1 after only eight balls.

BBC

A tentative working model suggested that Munc18-1 promotes vesicle delivery most likely through the actin network [49] and then leads to vesicle docking [48].

Plosone

In another tentative step toward resolution of the crisis, Russia restarted delivery of natural gas to Ukraine after it was cut off in June in a payment dispute influenced by the worsening political ties between the countries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tentative delivery" when you want to communicate that a delivery is planned but not yet fully confirmed, leaving room for potential changes or delays.

Common error

Avoid using "tentative delivery" if the delivery is guaranteed. Instead, use phrases like "confirmed delivery" or "scheduled delivery" to reflect the certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative delivery" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tentative" modifies the noun "delivery". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The examples provided show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative delivery" is used to describe a delivery that is planned but not yet certain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and understandable. Its use is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts, where it serves to convey uncertainty about the timing or occurrence of a delivery. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that the context aligns with this sense of uncertainty; avoid using it when the delivery is confirmed. Alternatives like "provisional delivery" or "estimated delivery" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provisional delivery

Emphasizes the conditional or temporary nature of the delivery, suggesting it's subject to change.

preliminary delivery

Indicates an initial or early delivery that may not be the final version.

uncertain delivery

Highlights the lack of certainty regarding the delivery's occurrence or details.

estimated delivery

Focuses on the fact that the delivery time is an estimate and not guaranteed.

possible delivery

Suggests that the delivery is only a possibility, not a certainty.

potential delivery

Similar to "possible delivery", indicating that the delivery is a potential outcome.

unsure delivery

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of sureness regarding the delivery.

conditional delivery

Specifies that the delivery depends on certain conditions being met.

projected delivery

Indicates a forecast or expectation for the delivery, which may not be accurate.

scheduled delivery

Indicates a delivery that is scheduled or planned, but not necessarily confirmed.

FAQs

What does "tentative delivery" mean?

A "tentative delivery" refers to a delivery that is planned or expected but not yet certain or guaranteed. It suggests the date or arrangement is subject to change.

When should I use "tentative delivery"?

Use "tentative delivery" when you want to convey that the delivery arrangement is not yet finalized and might be subject to adjustments. Avoid it if the delivery is confirmed.

What can I say instead of "tentative delivery"?

Alternatives include "provisional delivery", "preliminary delivery", or "estimated delivery", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tentative delivery" formal or informal?

"Tentative delivery" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider more precise language like "provisional delivery arrangement".