tentatively approved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tentatively approved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has been provisionally or temporarily accepted, pending further confirmation or review. Example: "The project proposal has been tentatively approved, but final approval will depend on the results of the upcoming review meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Food and Drug Administration tentatively approved Barr's copy of the drug, and final approval had been expected after Kos's legal stay on Niaspan expired yesterday.

The New York Times

These include the six tentatively approved on Monday.

The New York Times

Two months before the Presidential election, her visa was tentatively approved, pending a routine medical examination.

The New Yorker

The board tentatively approved the site plan and granted a parking variance.

The New York Times

The provisions had been tentatively approved in negotiations among staff members earlier in the week.

The New York Times

The city's Economic Development Corporation, which owns the buildings, tentatively approved the deal last May.

The New York Times

It has tentatively approved a huge, overly aggressive natural gas drilling project in northeastern Utah.

The New York Times

The commission has tentatively approved a three-month bison hunt in a larger area to begin Nov. 15.

The New York Times

That transaction has been tentatively approved by the Justice Department and is being reviewed by European regulators.

The New York Times

On voice votes, the Finance Committee tentatively approved a package of Medicare savings that total $3 billion in 1987 and about $4.7 billion over three years.

The New York Times

The board tentatively approved a requirement for teachers to give equal weight to evolution and biblical interpretations about the origin of life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tentatively approved" to convey that a decision is not yet final and may be subject to change. This can help manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid treating something that is "tentatively approved" as if it were fully approved. Ensure all parties understand that further steps or conditions may be required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tentatively approved" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action that has received preliminary agreement but is not yet finalized. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, indicating a provisional status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tentatively approved" is a common and grammatically sound way to express preliminary or conditional approval. As shown in Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and business contexts, conveying that a decision is not yet final and may require further steps. Using this phrase helps to manage expectations and avoid misunderstandings. Remember to avoid treating tentatively approved items as final. With a neutral register, this phrase offers versatility for various communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provisionally approved

Replaces "tentatively" with "provisionally", suggesting a more formal or official initial approval.

conditionally approved

Emphasizes that the approval is subject to certain conditions being met.

preliminarily approved

Indicates an approval that is early in the process and may be subject to further changes.

subject to approval

Highlights that final approval is still needed.

approved on a trial basis

Suggests that the approval is for a limited time or under specific experimental conditions.

approved with reservations

Implies approval despite some doubts or concerns.

accepted pending review

Focuses on the acceptance being dependent on a future review process.

approved in principle

Indicates a general agreement but lacking specific details or finalization.

notionally approved

Implies the approval is formal but might not lead to practical outcomes or execution.

incompletely approved

Highlights that approval process hasn't been completed.

FAQs

What does "tentatively approved" mean?

The phrase "tentatively approved" indicates that something has been given a preliminary or provisional approval, but it is not yet final and may be subject to further review, changes, or conditions.

What can I say instead of "tentatively approved"?

You can use alternatives like "provisionally approved", "conditionally approved", or "preliminarily approved" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "tentatively approved" formal or informal?

The phrase "tentatively approved" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, business communications, and general discussions.

How do I use "tentatively approved" in a sentence?

You can use "tentatively approved" in sentences like: "The city council "tentatively approved" the new zoning regulations." or "The loan application has been "tentatively approved", pending a final credit check."