transitional

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “transitional” is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of change or movement from one state to another. For example: “My transitional period from student to working adult was difficult but ultimately rewarding.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The combination of the team learning his ways and him learning the Premier League has meant a transitional period.

The Guardian - Sport

Transitional arrangements restricting the rights of 29 million Bulgarian and Romanian citizens from living and working in the UK will expire in January 2014.

The Guardian

Such parental advice sits uneasily with the notion of undoing past wrongs that lies at the heart of transitional justice, whereby nations move from committing gross and systematic human rights violations to democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Home secretary Theresa May said recently that the UK would be unable to hold back a tide of new immigration from the two former communist states once the existing transitional arrangements had expired.

The Guardian

Householders keen to get a more accurate view of bills might be better taking a "transitional approach", says Joe Malinowski of the energyshop.com.

The Guardian - Money

These figures, which relate to people who are in work and pay taxes, and actually show a drop in numbers, are the exact opposite of the 'invasion' and the 'opening floodgates' Nigel Farage predicted when transitional controls were lifted.

The Guardian

(Boulton: "The most exciting are the transitional elections, 97, 2010.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's been a transitional time for Mojang.

The Guardian - Tech

He had worked in education for 10 years, the school said, including as a high school principal and founder of CUNY Preparatory transitional high school.

The Guardian

One option that is gaining acceptance within the opposition movement and civic bodies is the forced resignation of this government and its replacement by a transitional technical body that gets things back on track.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If it's so much more expensive than what we anticipated and if the coverage is not as good as what we had, you've got a complete meltdown at that time," Manchin told CNN. "This transitional year gives you a chance to adjust the product for the market".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "transitional", clearly define what is being transitioned from and to. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "transitional" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying a "transitional phase", specify the nature and purpose of the phase. For example, "a transitional phase in adopting new technologies" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

"Transitional" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something related to a period of change or transition. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, ranging from politics to personal development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transitional" is a versatile adjective indicating something related to a period of change or transition. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its common usage across diverse fields like news, business, and science. When using "transitional", ensure you clearly define the context of the transition to avoid ambiguity. While "transitional" is often interchangeable with terms like "temporary" and "provisional", it specifically denotes a shift from one state to another, making it a valuable term for describing evolving situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Transitory phase

Focuses on the fleeting or short-lived nature of the phase.

Interim phase

Focuses on the time-limited aspect of the change.

In-between stage

Suggests a position between two defined states.

Changeover period

Emphasizes the act of changing from one state to another.

Intermediate step

Highlights the role of the change as a step towards a final goal.

Interim measure

Similar to provisional arrangement, stressing its temporary nature for a specific purpose.

Evolving state

Emphasizes ongoing change and adaptation.

Provisional arrangement

Highlights the temporary and conditional nature of the setup.

Developmental stage

Highlights the aspect of growth or progression during the change.

Temporary solution

Underscores the non-permanent aspect of the measure.

FAQs

How is "transitional" used in a sentence?

"Transitional" describes something related to or characteristic of a process or period of transition. For example, "The new policy is a "transitional measure" designed to ease the shift to the new system."

What are some synonyms for "transitional"?

Synonyms for "transitional" include "temporary", "provisional", and "intermediary". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "transitional" the same as "temporary"?

While both terms indicate something is not permanent, "transitional" specifically suggests a phase of change between two states, whereas "temporary" simply means not lasting or permanent without necessarily implying change.

What is a "transitional government"?

A "transitional government" is a "provisional government" established during a period of political change, often after a conflict or revolution, to prepare for a more permanent and stable government.