Are you confused about the difference between “preliminarily” and “preliminary”? These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two words and when it’s appropriate to use each one.
We should define these two words. “Preliminary” is an adjective that means “coming before the main part or event” or “introductory.” It can also refer to something that is provisional or tentative. For example, a preliminary report is a first draft of a report that may be subject to revision.
On the other hand, “preliminarily” is an adverb that means “as a preliminary or preparatory step” or “tentatively.” It is often used to describe actions that are taken before a more formal or final action is taken. For example, a lawyer might preliminarily review a case before deciding whether to take it on.
While these two words are related, they are not interchangeable. “Preliminary” is an adjective, while “preliminarily” is an adverb. Additionally, “preliminary” is used to describe something that is introductory or provisional, while “preliminarily” is used to describe an action that is taken as a preliminary or preparatory step.
Now that we’ve clarified the difference between these two words, let’s explore some common situations where you might use each one.
Define Preliminarily
Preliminarily is an adverb that refers to something that is done or said in advance of the main action or event. It is often used to describe an action that is taken as a preparation for something else. For example, a lawyer might make a preliminarily statement before presenting their case in court. In this context, the statement would be a brief overview of the case, outlining the key points that will be discussed in more detail later.
Preliminarily can also be used to describe a stage in a process that comes before the main stage. For example, a scientist might carry out a preliminarily experiment to test a hypothesis before conducting a more detailed and complex experiment. In this context, the preliminarily experiment would be a simpler version of the main experiment, designed to test the basic principles of the hypothesis.
Define Preliminary
Preliminary is an adjective that describes something that comes before the main or final version of something. It is often used to describe a rough or initial version of a document, plan, or design. For example, an architect might create a preliminary design for a building before creating the final version. In this context, the preliminary design would be a rough sketch or outline of the building, showing the basic layout and features.
Preliminary can also be used to describe a stage in a competition or event that comes before the main event. For example, in a track and field competition, there might be a preliminary round of races to determine which athletes will advance to the final round. In this context, the preliminary round would be a series of races that are used to narrow down the field of competitors before the final round.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct word in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended meaning. Misusing words can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the message. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words ‘preliminarily’ and ‘preliminary’ in a sentence.
How To Use ‘Preliminarily’ In A Sentence
‘Preliminarily’ is an adverb that means ‘as a preliminary step’ or ‘in a preliminary way.’ It is often used to describe an action or process that is done as a preliminary measure before the main action or process.
For example:
- The research team is preliminarily reviewing the data to identify any inconsistencies.
- The company is preliminarily considering the proposal before making a final decision.
It is important to note that ‘preliminarily’ is an adverb and should not be used as an adjective. For instance, saying ‘preliminarily report’ is incorrect. Instead, you should say ‘preliminary report.’
How To Use ‘Preliminary’ In A Sentence
‘Preliminary’ is an adjective that means ‘existing or occurring before something else’ or ‘initial or preparatory.’ It is often used to describe something that is done as a preliminary measure before the main action or process.
For example:
- The research team has completed a preliminary analysis of the data.
- The company has made a preliminary decision on the proposal.
It is important to note that ‘preliminary’ is an adjective and should not be used as an adverb. For instance, saying ‘preliminary review’ is correct, but saying ‘preliminaryly reviewed’ is incorrect.
More Examples Of Preliminarily & Preliminary Used In Sentences
In order to gain a better understanding of how to use “preliminarily” and “preliminary” in sentences, it can be helpful to look at some examples. Here are a few examples of each:
Examples Of Using “Preliminarily” In A Sentence
- Preliminarily, it appears that the new marketing campaign is having a positive impact on sales.
- The data is only preliminarily analyzed, so we can’t draw any firm conclusions yet.
- The company is preliminarily considering expanding into international markets.
- The report is only preliminarily drafted and will require further review before it can be finalized.
- The scientists are only preliminarily testing the new drug, and it will be years before it is available to the public.
- Preliminarily, it seems that the new employee is a good fit for the company culture.
- The police are only preliminarily investigating the crime, and no suspects have been identified yet.
- The lawyer is only preliminarily reviewing the case, and has not yet decided whether to take it on.
- Preliminarily, the results of the study are promising, but more research is needed to confirm them.
- The project is only preliminarily planned, and the details will be worked out in the coming weeks.
Examples Of Using “Preliminary” In A Sentence
- The team presented their preliminary findings at the conference.
- The company released a preliminary earnings report for the quarter.
- The judge issued a preliminary ruling on the case, but a final decision has not yet been made.
- The athlete had a preliminary race before the main event.
- The architect presented a preliminary design for the new building.
- The doctor gave a preliminary diagnosis, but further tests are needed to confirm it.
- The researchers conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of their project.
- The school board approved a preliminary budget for the upcoming year.
- The police conducted a preliminary investigation and identified a suspect.
- The artist showed some preliminary sketches of their new work.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using preliminarily and preliminary, many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Using “Preliminary” Instead Of “Preliminarily”
One common mistake is using “preliminary” as an adverb, when in fact, “preliminarily” is the correct form. For example, saying “I am preliminary reviewing the report” is incorrect, as “preliminary” is an adjective. The correct form would be “I am preliminarily reviewing the report.”
Mistake #2: Using “Preliminarily” As An Adjective
Conversely, another mistake is using “preliminarily” as an adjective, when it should be used as an adverb. For instance, saying “The preliminary findings are preliminarily” is incorrect, as “preliminarily” should modify a verb, not a noun. The correct form would be “The preliminary findings are presented preliminarily.”
Mistake #3: Confusing The Meanings Of “Preliminary” And “Preliminarily”
Finally, some people confuse the meanings of “preliminary” and “preliminarily.” “Preliminary” refers to something that comes before the main event or action, while “preliminarily” refers to something that is done in preparation for the main event or action. For example, “The team presented their preliminary findings” means that the team presented initial or early findings, while “The team is preliminarily reviewing the report” means that the team is reviewing the report as a preparatory step.
To avoid making these mistakes, it is important to understand the meanings of both words and use them appropriately. If you are unsure, consult a dictionary or style guide for guidance. Additionally, proofread your writing carefully to ensure that you have used the correct form of the word.
Context Matters
When it comes to using the words “preliminarily” and “preliminary,” context plays a significant role in determining which one to use. Both words have similar meanings, but their usage can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “preliminarily” and “preliminary” might change:
Legal Documents
In legal documents, the word “preliminary” is commonly used to describe something that is done before the main action or decision. For example, a preliminary hearing is a hearing that takes place before a trial to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed. On the other hand, “preliminarily” is used to describe something that is done as a preliminary step or as a temporary measure. For instance, a judge might issue a preliminarily injunction to prevent a defendant from taking certain actions until a final decision is made.
Scientific Research
In scientific research, “preliminary” is often used to describe something that is done as a first step or as an initial finding. For example, a researcher might present preliminary results at a conference to share their initial findings before conducting a more in-depth study. In contrast, “preliminarily” might be used to describe an action that is done as a preliminary step or as a temporary measure. For instance, a researcher might perform preliminarily tests to ensure that their equipment is functioning properly before conducting the actual experiment.
Business Reports
In business reports, the word “preliminary” is often used to describe something that is done as an initial step or as a first draft. For example, a company might release a preliminary earnings report to give investors an early indication of their financial performance. On the other hand, “preliminarily” might be used to describe something that is done as a preliminary step or as a temporary measure. For instance, a company might hire a preliminarily consultant to conduct a preliminary analysis before committing to a full-scale project.
As you can see, the choice between “preliminarily” and “preliminary” can depend on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the specific context and meaning of the words before deciding which one to use.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using preliminarily and preliminary are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where their usage may not follow the norm. Here are some cases where these exceptions apply:
1. Legal Terminology
In legal terminology, the word “preliminary” is often used to describe the first steps or stages in a legal process. For example, a “preliminary hearing” is a legal proceeding held before a trial to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. In this context, “preliminarily” would not be used since it does not convey the same legal meaning as “preliminary”.
2. Technical Writing
In technical writing, the usage of these words may vary depending on the specific context. For instance, in scientific research, “preliminary findings” may be used to describe initial results that are subject to further analysis and verification. On the other hand, “preliminarily” may be used in engineering or architecture to describe the initial stages of a project, such as “preliminarily approved plans” or “preliminarily calculated estimates”.
3. Colloquial Language
In colloquial language, the usage of these words may not follow the strict rules of grammar. For example, in casual conversation, one might say “I’m preliminarily planning my vacation” instead of “I’m planning my vacation preliminarily”. While this usage may not be grammatically correct, it is still commonly used in informal settings.
4. Regional Variations
Finally, it’s worth noting that the usage of these words may vary depending on the region or country. For example, in British English, “preliminary” is often used to describe something that is done at the beginning of a process, whereas “preliminarily” is less commonly used. In American English, both words are used interchangeably in most cases.
Overall, while the rules for using preliminarily and preliminary are generally straightforward, it’s important to be aware of these exceptions to ensure that you are using the correct word in the appropriate context.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have a good understanding of the differences between preliminarily and preliminary, let’s put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence.
| Sentence | Word Choices |
|---|---|
| The __________ report was submitted to the committee for review. | preliminarily, preliminary |
| We need to conduct a __________ analysis before we can move forward with the project. | preliminarily, preliminary |
| The team __________ agreed to the proposed changes. | preliminarily, preliminary |
| The __________ results of the study were promising. | preliminarily, preliminary |
Answer Key:
- preliminary
- preliminary
- preliminarily
- preliminary
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete each sentence with the correct form of preliminarily or preliminary.
- The ___________ investigation revealed several inconsistencies in the witness statements.
- They conducted a ___________ analysis of the market before launching the new product.
- We need to ___________ review the data before drawing any conclusions.
- The ___________ results of the study were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Answer Key:
- preliminary
- preliminary
- preliminarily
- preliminary
By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of preliminarily and preliminary in sentences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between “preliminarily” and “preliminary” is crucial for effective communication and clear writing. As we have seen, “preliminarily” is an adverb that modifies a verb, while “preliminary” is an adjective that modifies a noun. Confusing these two words can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
It is important to note that while “preliminarily” is a valid word, it is less commonly used than “preliminary” and may be considered more formal or technical. However, both words have their place in the English language and can be used effectively depending on the context.
As with any aspect of grammar and language use, continued learning and practice is key to improving one’s writing skills. By paying attention to the nuances of words like “preliminarily” and “preliminary,” we can become more effective communicators and convey our ideas with greater clarity and precision.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.