tentative plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a plan that is not yet finalized and may be subject to change. Example: "We have a tentative plan for the project timeline, but we will adjust it as needed based on feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

See articleBlackstone ditched a tentative plan to bid for Dell.

The Economist

The tentative plan is to keep his No. 24 gear and support Elliot, though maybe not every Sunday.

The New Yorker

Fish reads every brochure the lobby offers, and makes a tentative plan to see the irrigation museum.

The New Yorker

The justices must now decide whether to proceed with their tentative plan to hear the Oklahoma case.

The New York Times

(She has been outspoken in her opposition to the tentative plan by the city to move the market).

The New York Times - Food

Under a tentative plan, Morgan would reduce its ownership of FrontPoint, which employs about 180 people, to about 25 percent.

The New York Times

Those are the students for whom summer school would likely be eliminated under the board's tentative plan.

The New York Times

He said that he would most likely D.H. in his next game, perhaps Monday, and that the tentative plan was for him to play shortstop after that.

The New York Times

In the meantime, a tentative plan calls for Rodriguez to meet his Yankees teammates Monday in Chicago, where the team will begin a series against the White Sox.

The New York Times - Sports

The tentative plan would give banks until June 30 to increase their reserves, which they could achieve by selling new shares, retaining profits or selling assets.

The New York Times

He said that he would probably be the D.H. in his next game, perhaps Monday, and that the tentative plan was for him to play shortstop after that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "tentative plan", clarify the conditions that would make it firm or lead to its abandonment. This provides context and manages expectations.

Common error

Don't treat a "tentative plan" as if it's set in stone. Always acknowledge its potential to change, and avoid making irreversible decisions based solely on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative plan" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a plan that is not yet finalized or certain. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its extensive examples, indicating its role in conveying uncertainty or preliminary arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative plan" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a plan that is not yet finalized. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its prevalence across various sources, particularly in news and media. It's crucial to remember that a "tentative plan" should not be treated as definitive; instead, it signals an arrangement subject to change. When writing, clarity is key: specifying the conditions that could alter the plan enhances understanding. For variety, consider using synonyms like "provisional arrangement" or "preliminary scheme", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provisional arrangement

Replaces "plan" with "arrangement" and "tentative" with "provisional", indicating a temporary or conditional agreement.

Preliminary scheme

Substitutes "plan" with "scheme" and "tentative" with "preliminary", suggesting an initial or preparatory outline.

Conditional proposal

Replaces "plan" with "proposal" and "tentative" with "conditional", emphasizing that the plan is subject to certain conditions.

Proposed strategy

Changes "plan" to "strategy" and removes the tentativeness, implying a suggested course of action.

Initial roadmap

Replaces "plan" with "roadmap" and "tentative" with "initial", conveying a starting point for a journey or project.

Working hypothesis

Transforms the plan into a "hypothesis", framing it as a testable assumption or starting point.

Trial run

Indicates that the plan is only a test or experiment to assess feasibility and outcomes.

Experimental approach

Highlights the approach as not yet tested or confirmed, but rather a way to explore possibilities.

Pilot project

Specifies the plan as a smaller-scale preliminary project to test its effectiveness.

Blueprint under consideration

Suggests the plan is still being reviewed and has not yet been approved or implemented.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative plan" to describe arrangements that are not yet confirmed, such as, "We have a tentative plan to launch the product next quarter, but it depends on market conditions."

What's a good alternative to "tentative plan"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "provisional arrangement", "preliminary scheme", or "conditional proposal".

Is it appropriate to use "tentative plan" in formal writing?

Yes, "tentative plan" is suitable for formal writing, especially when outlining strategies or proposals that are still subject to revision. However, always ensure clarity about the plan's status.

What is the difference between "tentative plan" and "initial plan"?

While both suggest a starting point, "initial plan" implies a first iteration that might be more defined, whereas "tentative plan" emphasizes that the arrangement is still uncertain and subject to change.