tentative proposal

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative proposal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an idea or course of action that has not yet been finalized or accepted, but is being presented for review or consideration. For example: "The chairperson presented a tentative proposal to move the meeting to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The tentative proposal worked out by House Democratic leaders, officials said, has three main elements.

The New York Times

The department said last week that it would have no comment on its tentative proposal.

The New York Times

Together they went through the tentative proposal for Kassig's unilateral release and hammered out the terms of engagement.

The Guardian

In early November, after meeting in Jerusalem with Secretary of State John Kerry, he proclaimed a tentative proposal "a very, very bad deal.

The New Yorker

4.11pm BST Afternoon summary David Cameron has backed George Osborne's tentative proposal for a new high-speed rail line linking northern cities.

The Guardian

The Labour leader offered to drop his party's tentative proposal at last year's general election to introduce compulsory contributions to fund long-term care.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Tentative proposals for improving the East Midtown transit situation are unambitious.

The New York Times

The Football League is considering tentative proposals to spice up the competition by inviting Scottish clubs to take part.

The Guardian - Sport

In the United States, states including Oregon, Texas and Minnesota have explored mileage charging systems, but the first tentative proposals have faced obstacles there as well.

The New York Times - Science

The UAL Corporation approved tentative proposals by United Airlines pilots and flight attendants to reduce labor costs by $2.6 billion to help keep the carrier out of bankruptcy court.

The New York Times

The president has insisted he will not agree to significant reductions in projected Medicare and Medicaid spending — even his own tentative proposals — unless Republicans agree to raise revenues by curbing tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative proposal", clearly state the conditions under which the proposal might be modified or withdrawn. This sets expectations and avoids misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "tentative proposal" as a definite plan. Using phrases like "the proposal will" can mislead if the idea is still under consideration. Instead, use conditional language like "the proposal may" or "the proposal could."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative proposal" functions as a noun phrase, where "tentative" acts as a pre-modifying adjective clarifying the type of proposal being discussed. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative proposal" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an idea or plan that is not yet finalized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to manage expectations by clearly stating the potential for changes. Related phrases include "preliminary proposal" and "draft proposal", each with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain proposal

Emphasizes the lack of certainty or definiteness of the proposal.

preliminary proposal

Highlights that the proposal is in its early stages of development.

draft proposal

Indicates a proposal that is still being worked on and subject to change.

hypothetical proposal

Suggests the proposal is based on assumptions and may not be practical.

experimental proposal

Implies the proposal is innovative and unproven.

interim proposal

Suggests a temporary measure or a proposal for the time being.

cautious proposal

Highlights the careful and guarded nature of the proposition.

indicative proposal

Presents a proposal meant to suggest a possible direction.

experimental scheme

Suggests a plan that is innovative and unproven.

speculative idea

Emphasizes the conjectural nature of the idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative proposal" to describe a plan or suggestion that is not yet finalized, such as, "The committee presented a "tentative proposal" for restructuring the department."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "preliminary proposal", "draft proposal", or "uncertain proposal".

Is it correct to say "a proposal is tentative"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The adjective "tentative" appropriately describes the nature of the proposal as being provisional or subject to change.

What does "tentative" really mean in the context of a "proposal"?

In this context, "tentative" means the proposal is not final or definite. It's an initial suggestion that is open to discussion, modification, or rejection.