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Meaning & use

preliminary report

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/prɪˈlɪmɪnəri rɪˈpɔːt/
US/prɪˈlɪməneri rɪˈpɔːrt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A first, often temporary document that gives early findings before the final version is ready.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say a preliminary report or several preliminary reports.

    Patterns

    • a preliminary report on something
    • a preliminary report into something
    • issue/publish a preliminary report

    The committee published a preliminary report on the accident last week.

    A preliminary report suggests the bridge failed because of metal fatigue.

    We won't know the full results until the preliminary report is finished.

  2. nouncountable

    An early written statement that outlines something before the main work or meeting.

    Grammar: Often used in business and academic contexts before a final report.

    Patterns

    • a preliminary report for a meeting
    • prepare a preliminary report

    She prepared a preliminary report for the board meeting.

    The preliminary report outlines the main problems but does not solve them.

    Please send me a preliminary report by Friday.

Word forms

pluralpreliminary reports

Common combinations

a preliminary report on
They released a preliminary report on the new safety rules.
a preliminary report into
The government ordered a preliminary report into the fire.
publish a preliminary report
The agency will publish a preliminary report next month.
a preliminary report suggests
The preliminary report suggests the cause was human error.

Synonyms and how they differ

draft report
A draft report is an unfinished version you plan to change; a preliminary report may be an official early release that will be followed by a fuller one.
interim report
An interim report covers progress up to a point in time; a preliminary report usually gives first findings before the final report.

Opposites

final report

Word family

preliminarily adverb
In a way that comes before the main event or final version.
preliminary adjective
Coming before a more important action or event.

Commonly confused: preliminary report or preliminaries?

preliminary report vs preliminaries

Preliminaries are the first parts of an event or process, not a document.

Practice

The committee will ______ a preliminary report before the final one.

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