tentative design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative design" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary or provisional design that is subject to change or further development. Example: "The team presented a tentative design for the new product, which will be refined based on feedback from stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But the tentative design suggests that it could be a major undertaking costing millions of dollars.

The New York Times

Finally, tentative design criteria for the allowable individual sliding distance are proposed.

Coastal Engineering

Mr. Souquet has hired a marketing director, opened an office in Seattle, and has chosen the tentative design for the first product.

The New York Times

Some tentative design rules are proposed to define stress levels for the safe use of bamboo, taking fatigue into account.

International Journal of Fatigue

The correlation led to a tentative design formula, Eq. (6), for predicting P1 − P2 at a given solids flow rate.

Powder Technology

The results were summarized into tentative design charts indicating efficient spacing of intermediate diaphragms for the various stress ratios.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

There's a moment in AS Byatt's immense new novel when a young woman gets some advice about the tentative designs she has drawn: "Define their limits".

The Guardian - Books

Different computations are carried out focusing the efforts on new tentative designs of the cross section of the probe, as well as the influence of multiple impacts.

International Journal of Engineering Science

Amid plenty of speculation, Musk revealed in a tweet earlier today that he plans to publish his tentative designs for the Hyperloop system by August 12.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, there is no evidence that C.F. & I. has settled on a definite or even tentative construction design or plan, or that it has prepared an economic analysis of its proposed diversion.

Cornell University

Make a tentative plan.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a design that is still under development, use "tentative design" to accurately convey that it is subject to change.

Common error

Don't use "tentative design" when referring to a final, approved design. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty and is inappropriate for finalized plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative design" functions as a noun phrase where 'tentative' modifies 'design', indicating that the design is provisional or preliminary. This is supported by Ludwig examples, illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative design" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a design that is preliminary and subject to change. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase with a neutral to formal register, commonly appearing in science, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you accurately convey the uncertainty associated with the design and avoid using it for finalized plans. Consider alternatives like "preliminary blueprint" or "provisional scheme" for variety. Overall, "tentative design" is a useful term for communicating the evolving nature of a design process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary blueprint

Focuses on the initial and subject-to-change aspect of a plan or design.

provisional scheme

Highlights the temporary and conditional nature of a plan or design.

initial layout

Emphasizes the starting point of a design process.

exploratory model

Suggests a design used for investigation and learning.

proposed framework

Highlights the suggestion of an idea, not yet finalized.

rough plan

Indicates a basic, unrefined outline of a design.

draft concept

Implies a design is in an early stage of development.

pilot project design

Refers to a small-scale, experimental design for testing.

test design

Refers to a small-scale experiment to see if it fits user needs.

unconfirmed design

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of final approval.

FAQs

What does "tentative design" mean?

A "tentative design" refers to a preliminary or provisional design that is subject to change or further development. It's not the final version.

What can I say instead of "tentative design"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary blueprint", "provisional scheme", or "draft concept" depending on the context.

Is "tentative design" formal or informal?

The term "tentative design" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is often seen in professional and technical discussions.

How do I use "tentative design" in a sentence?

Example: "The engineering team presented a "tentative design" for the bridge, but it still requires further review and adjustments before final approval."