tentative inference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative inference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a conclusion or judgment that is not yet finalized and is subject to further evidence or confirmation. Example: "Based on the preliminary data, we can make a tentative inference about the correlation between the two variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The distinctive location of β- 1 crystals in the upper part of the vial suggested that they grew in the later stages of the experiment following the influx of antisolvent, and on this basis a number of tentative inferences were made.

Crystal Growth & Design

As Greenland and O'Rourke (2008) comment, Epidemiologic studies of specific topics have tended to be fewer [than is the case in social science or medicine], and the epidemiologic community appears to be more hospitable to tentative, limited inferences based on narrative reviews.

Environmental Health Perspectives

This study employed cross-sectional survey datasets, thus any causal inference is tentative.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

There were very few statistically significant associations and estimates generally had very wide confidence intervals, making any inferences extremely tentative.

Environmental Health Perspectives

These modelling inferences are necessarily tentative, as they cannot be supported by studies of immune mechanisms in those historical populations.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Steroidogenesis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis appear to be important loci of phytoestrogen actions, but these inferences must be tentative because good dose-response data are not available for many end points.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Despite all efforts to improve phylogenetic inference, a reference tree still remains a tentative model of past history.

Briefings in Bioinformatics

First, the original coalescent inferences of migration routes within California were tentative and often inconclusive because not all infested localities were sampled, and all genetically indistinguishable populations were pooled into "meta-populations" regardless of location (Mascheretti et al. 2009).

Biological Invasions

Unfortunately, the exact core class of indels was not well represented in our survey (168 observed and 141 resampled indels, Fig. 2 and Fig. S2 (see Additional file 1)), and making inferences about this important class was more tentative.

BMC Genomics

This exercise should be followed by critical reflection to reinforce NOS concepts (i.e., tentative and subjective nature of scientific knowledge, importance of human creativity, observation versus inference) that were covered (Abd-El-Khalick and Lederman 2000).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Behaviour data are much more widely available for North American and European taxa, so our inferences for family-level predatory behaviour should be treated as tentative for taxa from other geographic areas.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative inference", ensure the context clearly indicates the reasons for the uncertainty or lack of definitive evidence. This helps avoid misinterpretations and strengthens the credibility of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "tentative inference" as a definitive conclusion. Always acknowledge the limitations and potential for revision based on new information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative inference" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tentative" modifies the noun "inference". It describes the nature of the inference as being provisional, uncertain, or not yet fully established. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tentative inference" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as validated by Ludwig, employed to describe a conclusion or judgment that is not yet definitive or fully supported by evidence. It is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, reflecting a formal register. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase serves a precise communicative purpose: to introduce an idea with caution, acknowledging the limitations of the available evidence. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the reasons for the uncertainty, and avoid presenting it as a definitive conclusion. Consider alternatives like "preliminary conclusion" or "provisional deduction" to fine-tune the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary conclusion

Emphasizes the early stage of the conclusion, suggesting it might change with further evidence.

provisional deduction

Highlights the conditional nature of the deduction, subject to future confirmation.

qualified speculation

Indicates that the speculation is limited and based on certain conditions.

guarded assertion

Suggests a cautious and restrained statement, lacking strong conviction.

hesitant conjecture

Conveys uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the formulated conjecture.

cautious assumption

Highlights the careful and circumspect nature of the assumption being made.

speculative hypothesis

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the inference, open to further investigation.

unconfirmed supposition

Indicates that the supposition has not yet been verified or validated.

undeveloped theory

Implies that the theory is in its initial stages and requires further development.

initial assessment

Focuses on the beginning phase of the evaluation, suggesting it's not yet complete.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative inference" to describe a conclusion that is not yet fully supported by evidence. For example, "Based on the preliminary data, we can draw a "tentative inference" about the relationship between these two variables."

What are some alternatives to "tentative inference"?

Alternatives include "preliminary conclusion", "provisional deduction", or "qualified speculation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tentative inference"?

It is appropriate when you want to present a conclusion that is based on limited or incomplete evidence and is subject to change as more information becomes available.

What makes an inference "tentative"?

An inference is "tentative" when it is based on incomplete data, preliminary findings, or assumptions that have not yet been fully validated. It implies a degree of uncertainty and the possibility of future revision.