tentative discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a discussion that is not yet finalized or is subject to change. Example: "We had a tentative discussion about the project timeline, but we need to finalize the details in our next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A tentative discussion is given to elucidate these phenomena.

Electrochimica Acta

The paper closes with a tentative discussion on how a chair's perceived expression could be related to the embodiment of schemas in its spatial and material features.

Design Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sources close to the two companies say Hershey executives have held tentative discussions about a combined approach with Ferrero.

The Guardian - Business

An interesting attempt to deal with "women's issues" through Kima and Beadie's tentative discussions of motherhood and work-life balance.

The Guardian

She arrived to take part in the process at Corbyn's office for the first tentative discussions at 2.30pm on Monday.

The Guardian

ITV, Sky and Channel Five have so far shown no interest in broadcasting the game and tentative discussions with the BBC have got nowhere.

The Guardian - Sport

To be sure, since the initial US Airways bid for Delta a year ago, big airlines have had tentative discussions with one another about merging.

The New York Times

Executives at the BBC are believed to have held tentative discussions with leading City banks about floating off part of its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.

The Guardian

According to some reports, tentative discussions, mediated by Venezuelan diplomats, have taken place at the Tunisian island resort of Djerba between representatives of the rebels' National Transitional Council (NTC) and some of Colonel Qaddafi's ministers.

The Economist

[C3.] AOL in Confidentiality Agreement AOL Time Warner signed a confidentiality agreement with AT&T, allowing tentative discussions about the acquisition of AT&T's cable television business to edge forward.

The New York Times

AOL Time Warner's tentative discussions about acquiring the cable television business of AT&T have edged forward, with AOL Time Warner signing a confidentiality agreement that could allow the talks to move to a new stage, people close to the negotiations said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative discussion", clearly indicate the scope and limitations of the discussion to avoid misinterpretations. For example, specify what aspects were covered and what remains to be decided.

Common error

Avoid presenting conclusions from a "tentative discussion" as definitive. Emphasize that the points raised are still subject to change and further consideration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tentative discussion" is to act as a noun phrase, where "tentative" modifies the noun "discussion". It describes the type or nature of the discussion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe conversations or exchanges that are preliminary, uncertain, or subject to change. While the phrase is relatively rare, it finds its place in both news and scientific contexts. When using "tentative discussion", ensure you emphasize its preliminary nature to avoid any misunderstanding about the finality of the discussed topics. For alternatives, consider "preliminary discussion", "exploratory discussion", or "initial discussion" to better fit the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary discussion

Emphasizes the early stage and lack of finality.

exploratory discussion

Highlights the investigative and open-ended nature of the exchange.

initial discussion

Focuses on the beginning phase of a conversation.

early discussion

Similar to initial, but may imply a longer period of early stages.

unsettled debate

Highlights the lack of resolution or agreement.

speculative conversation

Emphasizes the hypothetical or uncertain nature of the talk.

experimental conversation

Highlights the testing of the topic, the lack of evidence and uncertainness of the topic.

informal exchange

Highlights that the conversation happened on a non-formal environment.

hypothetical exchange

Stresses the conditional nature of the discussion.

cautious dialogue

Highlights the careful and reserved nature of the conversation.

FAQs

What does "tentative discussion" mean?

A "tentative discussion" refers to a conversation or exchange of ideas that is not yet finalized, is subject to change, or is exploratory in nature. It implies a lack of commitment or a preliminary exploration of a topic.

What can I say instead of "tentative discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary discussion", "exploratory discussion", or "initial discussion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "tentative discussion" to describe the nature of a meeting or conversation. For example: "We had a "tentative discussion" about the project's budget, but nothing is set in stone yet."

Is "tentative discussion" formal or informal?

The phrase "tentative discussion" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "preliminary deliberation" for a more elevated tone.