very preliminary

USAGE SUMMARY

"very preliminary" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is at an early stage of development, and is therefore quite incomplete or tentative. For example, "We have produced a very preliminary draft of the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is just very, very preliminary".

The New York Times

"It's all very preliminary at this stage".

The New York Times

"All of the talks are very preliminary," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He cautioned that that was "a very preliminary estimate".

The New York Times

"The Web site idea is very preliminary," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our results are very preliminary," Dr. Raichlen says.

The New York Times

Smith & Nephew said on Nov. 2 that it had held "very preliminary talks" with Biomet.

The New York Times

"These are in the very preliminary stages; there's nothing in development," Mr. Browne said.

The New York Times

"This is still very, very preliminary," said Butch Murphy, the communications director of the Pechanga Band.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was a very preliminary conversation," one source involved told Reuters.

The Guardian - Tech

"There has only been a very preliminary test so far," said Andy Boach, a bureau spokesman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very preliminary", contextualize it with information about expected next steps to manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid presenting "very preliminary" results as conclusive or definitive. Emphasize the need for further investigation to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very preliminary" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is in its initial stages of development or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very preliminary" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something in its early stages. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to qualify a noun, indicating tentativeness and a need for further development. Commonly found in news, science, and business contexts, the phrase signals that results or plans are subject to change. It's crucial to avoid overstating the significance of "very preliminary" findings and to provide context that appropriately manages audience expectations. Using alternatives like "quite preliminary" or "early stage" can provide nuanced variations while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite preliminary

Emphasizes the initial stage, similar to the original phrase but with a slight variation in intensity.

highly preliminary

Similar to "very preliminary" but strengthens the degree of the preliminary nature.

early stage

This is a more concise term that conveys the idea of something not being fully developed.

initial phase

Replaces "preliminary" with "phase", highlighting the beginning stages of a project or process.

in the initial stages

Adds a bit more context, describing the process as still early on. Slightly more descriptive.

at the outset

Focuses on the commencement point, indicating that things are just beginning.

at an early juncture

A more formal way of expressing the idea of something being in the early stages of development.

in its infancy

Uses a metaphor to describe the subject as being new and underdeveloped.

under development

Focuses on the ongoing process of development, implying that it is not yet complete.

work in progress

This alternative suggests a project is currently being worked on and is not yet finalized.

FAQs

How can I use "very preliminary" in a sentence?

You can use "very preliminary" to describe something that is at an early stage of development or consideration. For example, "The data is "very preliminary", and further research is needed."

What can I say instead of "very preliminary"?

You can use alternatives like "quite preliminary", "highly preliminary", or "early stage" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "very preliminary" in formal writing?

Yes, "very preliminary" is appropriate in formal writing to accurately describe the early stage of a project or research, but always ensure to provide sufficient context and caveats.

What's the difference between "very preliminary" and "preliminary"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree to which something is preliminary, emphasizing that it is at a particularly early or initial stage. Saying it's ""very preliminary"" suggests an even greater need for further development or investigation than just calling it "preliminary".