tentative responses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentative responses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to replies or answers that are not final or are subject to change, often in discussions or feedback contexts. Example: "During the meeting, we shared our tentative responses to the client's concerns, knowing that further revisions would be necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Romney's tax returns were posted on his campaign's Web site on Tuesday morning after escalating pressure from the other Republican candidates, Democrats and even supporters, some of whom attributed his loss in South Carolina's Republican primary last weekend to his shifting and tentative responses to questions about his wealth, tax burden and overseas investments.

The New York Times

The present paper is a novel attempt to capture psychosis data by considering 24 input symptom constructs and 7 tentative responses (outputs) as per Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-F2 (BPRS-F2).

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This mapping of institutional structures is a tentative response to the call for critically understanding the optimal ways and emerging opportunities to strengthen EIHSP [ 21, 23, 24].

Health Research Policy and Systems

The decreased gene expression in Casp9 may reflect a tentative response from Casp9 by ouabain, but upregulated antiapoptotic genes, such as Birc3 in the IAP family, might also suppress it, and Birc2 is an antiapoptotic gene that specifically blocks cytochrome C release [ 62].

BioMed Research International

A sometimes tentative police response is adding its own element to the mix.

The New York Times

At the heart of the case was a dialogue between the cops and the killers -- angry threats from the sniper were matched by tentative, carefully worded responses from the authorities filtered through the news media.

The New York Times

Mr. Hagel, 66, a former senator from Nebraska and a decorated Vietnam veteran who would be the first former enlisted combat soldier to be secretary of defense, often seemed tentative in his responses.

The New York Times

These findings provide tentative support for responses by policy makers to reduce this imbalance.

BMC Public Health

KABUL, Afghanistan — Despite their hard-line public stance and continued attacks, the Taliban are quietly putting out tentative feelers in response to the government's recent peace jirga, according to Afghan government officials and two former Taliban political leaders.

The New York Times

Russia: McCain will assert that during the Georgia crisis your attentions were elsewhere and tentative in your response.

Huffington Post

Because the placebo group remained problematically small, the comparisons with placebo should be seen as tentative; however, the response categories within the SRI group have a more reasonable size.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "tentative responses" with phrases that indicate openness to revision or further discussion, such as "subject to change" or "pending further review".

Common error

Avoid using "tentative responses" excessively, as it can create an impression of indecisiveness. Instead, vary your language to reflect different degrees of certainty and confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative responses" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tentative" modifies the noun "responses". It describes the nature or quality of the responses, indicating they are not definitive or final. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative responses" effectively conveys uncertainty or a preliminary nature of answers or reactions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across different writing styles. While "tentative responses" is commonly used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it's essential to provide sufficient context to clarify the reasons for the uncertainty. Consider using alternative phrases like "preliminary answers" or "hesitant reactions" to reflect subtle nuances. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and decisiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary answers

Suggests responses given at an early stage, subject to change.

provisional replies

Highlights the conditional and non-final nature of the responses.

hesitant reactions

Emphasizes a lack of confidence or willingness in the responses.

guarded acknowledgements

Indicates cautious or restrained admissions.

qualified affirmations

Responses that are positive but include conditions or limitations.

uncertain acknowledgments

Highlights a lack of assurance or conviction in the responses.

cautious replies

Emphasizes the careful and circumspect nature of the responses.

experimental feedbacks

Responses which are given on a trial basis, as part of a test or exploration.

conditional responses

Responses that depend on certain conditions being met.

initial indications

Focuses on the responses being first signs or suggestions.

FAQs

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

You can use "tentative responses" to describe answers or actions that are not yet final or certain, such as, "The committee provided "tentative responses" to the proposed changes, pending further investigation."

What's the difference between "tentative responses" and "provisional responses"?

"Tentative responses" suggests a degree of uncertainty or hesitation, while "provisional responses" indicate a temporary or conditional nature. Provisional responses are more likely to be implemented temporarily, pending a final decision.

What are some synonyms for "tentative responses"?

Alternatives to "tentative responses" include "preliminary answers", "hesitant reactions", or "cautious replies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "tentative responses" is appropriate for formal writing when describing initial or uncertain reactions. However, consider the context and audience to ensure it doesn't undermine the writer's credibility. Using phrases like "preliminary findings" or "initial assessments" may also be suitable.