tentative to change

USAGE SUMMARY

"tentative to change" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing an intention or attitude of being hesitant or unsure about making a change or alteration. For example, "The President was tentative to change the policy, despite numerous calls for reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As always, lineups are tentative to change.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tentativeness Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to change.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Note: Tentative, schedule subject to change!

University of California, Berkeley

(Note that all dates are tentative and subject to change; ICANN maintais the authoritative schedule). We will also webcast the Berkman Center's "ICANN & The Public Interest: Pressing Issues" Workshop on October 31.

Harvard University

Though the judge, Jed S. Rakoff, called the rulings tentative and subject to change during the trial, the indication that he will admit the wiretaps is a major victory for the prosecution.

The New York Times

Benchmark: Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation Science Standard 15- Understands the nature of scientific inquiry.

The New York Times

Benchmarks: Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation; Understands that questioning, response to criticism, and open communication are integral to the process of science Science Standard 16- Understands the scientific enterprise.

The New York Times

Benchmarks: Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation; Understands that questioning, response to criticism, and open communication are integral to the process of science Science Standard 15 – Understands the nature of scientific inquiry.

The New York Times

Benchmark: Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation Grades 9-12 Science Standard 4- Knows about the diversity and unity that characterize life.

The New York Times

Benchmark: Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation (CTSS – 'science', '6-8'14'14') Science Standard 15- Understands the nature of scientific inquiry.

The New York Times

Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to change (question 4).

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tentative to change", ensure the context clearly indicates what is subject to change and why the tentativeness exists. Provide specific reasons or conditions that might lead to alteration to add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "tentative to change" when you actually mean something is highly likely to change. "Tentative" suggests a degree of uncertainty, not a high probability. If something is almost certain to change, use stronger language like "almost certain to be revised".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentative to change" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is not yet definite and is susceptible to modifications. Ludwig AI validates that the term denotes a plan or decision is subject to potential alternations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentative to change" is a grammatically correct way to describe something that is subject to potential alterations, although Ludwig AI reports that its occurrence is relatively rare. It communicates uncertainty and potential adjustments and can be used in various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial to ensure the audience understands the reasons for the "tentativeness" and the possible changes that might occur. Alternatives as "subject to modification" and "liable to be altered" can be more suitable for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to modification

Replaces "tentative" with "subject", emphasizing the possibility of alteration.

liable to be altered

Uses "liable" to convey the probability of change, offering a more formal tone.

may be revised

Employs "revised", suggesting a more formal and structured process of change.

open to revision

Similar to "may be revised" but emphasizes a willingness to make changes.

provisional and changeable

Uses "provisional" to indicate a temporary nature, combined with "changeable" for flexibility.

not yet final

Indicates that the subject is still in a draft state and susceptible to changes.

still under development

Suggests that the subject is in the process of being finalized and may undergo transformations.

likely to be adjusted

Uses "adjusted" to convey small changes that may occur.

preliminary and subject to alteration

Combines "preliminary" to signify initial stages with "subject to alteration" for potential modifications.

uncertain and evolving

Indicates a lack of certainty and a state of ongoing development and change.

FAQs

How can I use "tentative to change" in a sentence?

You can use "tentative to change" to describe plans, schedules, or specifications that are not yet finalized and may be altered. For example, "The project timeline is "tentative to change" based on resource availability".

What's a more formal alternative to "tentative to change"?

A more formal alternative would be "subject to modification" or "liable to be altered". These phrases are suitable for academic or professional contexts where precision is important.

When is it appropriate to use "tentative to change" versus "likely to change"?

"Tentative to change" implies a degree of uncertainty about whether a change will occur, while "likely to change" suggests a higher probability of change. Use "tentative" when the outcome is genuinely uncertain. However, alternatives as "likely to change" might denote a high probability

Is "tentative to change" the same as "subject to change"?

While similar, "subject to change" is a more direct and common phrase. "Tentative to change" emphasizes the uncertainty or hesitation before a potential change. "subject to change" conveys that things can evolve without necessarily implying the reasons behind it