tentative figures

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative figures" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to estimates or calculations that are uncertain or approximate, typically because they are based on incomplete information. For example, "The tentative figures suggest that profits will be down compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There are tentative figures suggesting that gender ratios at birth vary by mothers' country of birth; further research is necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were very tentative figures in this week's polling suggesting a small positive shift in attitudes towards Labour on economic trust.

The Guardian - Business

According to tentative figures compiled by Human Rights Watch and the A.C.L.U., at least 57 people, a handful of them American citizens, have been detained as material witnesses in connection with terrorism investigations.

The New York Times

The tentative figures, which are being distributed to 39,000 state, county and local governments for review, also show double-digit growth in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, at the southern end of the sea of suburbs that run down the East Coast from Boston to Richmond.

The New York Times

"They are putting out alarmist figures of £1m or so for implementation which are very different to the tentative figures put out by the Privileges and Procedures committee".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

SANTA FE ROAD VALUED.; $476,120,973 Is Tentative Figure Fixed by Commerce Body.

The New York Times

ROAD LOSES ITS VALUATION CASE; Supreme Court Upholds Tentative Figure Reached by Interstate Commerce Commission.

The New York Times

Archives|SANTA FE ROAD VALUED.; $476,120,973 Is Tentative Figure Fixed by Commerce Body.

The New York Times

Sutton said he felt the cycling world had seen two contrasting Cavendishes on the Olympic velodrome in London, the tentative figure who rode to fifth overall in the omnium and the assured rider who partnered Sir Bradley Wiggins to gold in the Madison relay the following day.

The Guardian - Sport

Therefore, the estimated ICER is a tentative figure reported here with the aim of promoting the debate about the willingness to pay for new technologies and to show the need of economic evaluations in the field of genetic screening and diagnosis (Carlson et al. 2005).

Human Genetics

This tentative figure includes the >30 protein kinases known to bind directly to 14-3-3 (including thistudydy), cases where known 14-3-3-binding 14-3-3-binding 14-3-3-binding 14-3-3-bindingsites2R-ohnologue protein kinare family, and protein kinases that display affinity for 14-3-3 in HT experiments.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative figures", clearly state the source of the figures and any limitations or qualifications that apply.

Common error

Avoid presenting "tentative figures" as definitive facts. Instead, use qualifying language such as "suggest", "indicate", or "preliminarily show" to reflect their uncertain nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative figures" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tentative" modifies the noun "figures". It describes data that is preliminary, uncertain, or subject to change, as supported by Ludwig's examples. It serves to qualify the figures as not yet definitive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentative figures" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing preliminary or uncertain numerical data. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, be sure to qualify the figures with appropriate caveats and acknowledge their potential for change. Related phrases like "preliminary estimates" or "provisional data" can be suitable alternatives depending on the context. Remember to avoid presenting "tentative figures" as definitive facts to maintain accuracy and transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary estimates

Replaces "figures" with "estimates", emphasizing the calculation aspect and adding "preliminary" to highlight the early stage.

provisional data

Uses "data" instead of "figures", making it more suitable for statistical or scientific contexts, and "provisional" to indicate a temporary status.

approximate calculations

Replaces "figures" with "calculations", focusing on the mathematical process, and "approximate" to convey their inexact nature.

rough numbers

Uses "numbers" instead of "figures" and "rough" to indicate a lack of precision, suitable for informal contexts.

initial projections

Replaces "figures" with "projections", implying a forecast based on current data, and "initial" to signify that they are subject to change.

unconfirmed statistics

Uses "statistics" instead of "figures", which is apt for formal reporting, and "unconfirmed" to express uncertainty.

early estimates

Similar to preliminary estimates, but emphasizes the temporal aspect of the data being in its early stages.

speculative numbers

Replaces "figures" with "numbers", keeping it broad, and "speculative" which suggests a higher degree of uncertainty and potential deviation.

projected values

Emphasizes that the "values" are not actual measurements but rather forecasts or predictions.

estimated values

Highlights that the "values" are not precisely known but rather inferred or approximated.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative figures" to describe data that is not yet confirmed or finalized. For example, "The "tentative figures" suggest a slight increase in sales, but we need more data to be sure."

What are some alternatives to "tentative figures"?

Alternatives to "tentative figures" include "preliminary estimates", "provisional data", or "approximate calculations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Are "tentative figures" the same as "provisional figures"?

While similar, "tentative figures" and "provisional figures" both refer to data that is not yet final. "Tentative" emphasizes the possibility of change, while "provisional" suggests a temporary arrangement pending confirmation.

When is it appropriate to use "tentative figures" in a report?

It's appropriate to use "tentative figures" when presenting early or incomplete data, provided that you clearly acknowledge its limitations and potential for revision. Always cite the source and explain any assumptions made.