tentative goal

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative goal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an outcome or objective that is subject to change or alteration. For example: "We set a tentative goal of increasing sales by 10% in six months, but due to the pandemic, that goal may need to be adjusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Southold is focusing on about 10,000 acres of undeveloped land, which is primarily farmland, and has a tentative goal of preserving 8,500 to 8,800 acres of that land.

The New York Times

The tentative goal is reportedly sometime in June, though they may not have anything set in stone in time for WWDC.

TechCrunch

Founders Institute graduates have been 16% female to date ("this beats the average, but quite frankly the average sucks"), and Ressi has a tentative goal of increasing it 30% by the end of the year, wanting to launch 175 female-led technology companies in 2011.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some tentative goals include eliminating overfishing, preventing extinctions, and setting aside 15% of the land and sea as protected areas.

Science Magazine

Wayne Rooney's first touch has been uncharacteristically clumsy, Frank Lampard's shots at goal tentative; Aaron Lennon and Glen Johnson have run hard, but to no great end.

The New Yorker

It was a performance that could not have been more different from Dayne's stumbling, tentative attempts in goal-line situations a year ago.

The New York Times - Sports

"An early goal of the tentative U.S. re-engagement with Burma should be full disclosure of the extent and intent of the developing Burmese nuclear program," Mr. Lugar said in a statement.

The New York Times

In interactive approaches [35], DMs need to provide a goal point for a tentative efficient solution in each iteration.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

Once you have decided what your retirement goals are and drawn up a tentative plan, it's time to execute on those goals.

Forbes

These findings represent tentative, but vital, steps toward the goals of personalized medicine in health care and evaluation of novel therapeutics.

Human Brain Mapping

That goal was part of the tentative agreement announced by President Obama.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To underscore the evolving nature of a "tentative goal", pair it with verbs suggesting progress, such as 'explore', 'develop', or 'refine'.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "tentative goal" as a fixed commitment. This can lead to confusion and undermine trust if the goal shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative goal" functions as a noun phrase, where "tentative" modifies the noun "goal". It describes a specific type of goal, one that is not yet finalized or certain. Ludwig AI validates this interpretation based on the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative goal" refers to an objective that is not yet firmly established and may change. It is grammatically correct and understood in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While less frequent than some alternatives, its meaning is clear and its use is appropriate when flexibility and adaptability are required. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a perfectly valid English phrase. Alternatives include "provisional objective" or "preliminary target", but the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provisional objective

Replaces "goal" with "objective" and "tentative" with "provisional", implying a similar level of uncertainty.

preliminary target

Substitutes "goal" with "target" and "tentative" with "preliminary", suggesting an initial aim that may be adjusted.

initial aim

Focuses on the starting point of a plan, implying a degree of uncertainty in the final outcome.

experimental objective

Highlights the exploratory nature of the goal, suggesting a willingness to adapt based on results.

working plan

Emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of the plan, implying that it's subject to modification.

flexible target

Directly conveys the adaptability of the goal, emphasizing its capacity to change.

unconfirmed aim

Underscores the lack of certainty surrounding the goal, highlighting its provisional status.

subject-to-change objective

Explicitly states that the objective is not fixed and may be altered.

approximate goal

Indicates that the goal is an estimate and may not be precise.

undeveloped plan

Highlights the incomplete nature of the plan, implying that it's still in the early stages of formulation.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative goal" to describe an aim that may change, as in, "Our "tentative goal" is to launch the product in Q4, but this depends on funding."/

What is a good substitute for "tentative goal"?

Alternatives include "provisional objective", "preliminary target", or "initial aim", all of which convey a similar sense of uncertainty.

Is it better to set a "tentative goal" or a firm goal?

It depends on the situation. A "tentative goal" is appropriate when there are many unknowns, while a firm goal is better when conditions are stable and predictable. Assess the external variables before deciding the type of goal.

What does it mean when a goal is described as "tentative"?

It means the goal is not yet firmly established and may be subject to change due to new information, evolving circumstances, or unforeseen challenges.