Meaning & use
preliminary test
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Meanings
nouncountable
An early test done before the main one to check something or prepare for it.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a preliminary test' or 'several preliminary tests'.
Patterns
- a preliminary test for something
- a preliminary test of something
- run/conduct a preliminary test
The scientists ran a preliminary test to see if the new material could handle heat.
Students must pass a preliminary test before they are allowed into the final competition.
We did a preliminary test of the software to find obvious bugs.
nouncountable
A first exam or trial that decides whether you can continue to the next stage.
Grammar: Often used for sports or school selection: 'pass the preliminary test'.
Patterns
- pass/fail a preliminary test
- take a preliminary test
Only the top ten runners from the preliminary test move on to the final race.
She took a preliminary test in math before the real exam.
Word forms
| plural | preliminary tests |
|---|
Common combinations
- preliminary test results
- The preliminary test results suggest the drug is safe.
- a preliminary test run
- We did a preliminary test run of the machine before the big event.
- undergo a preliminary test
- All new employees undergo a preliminary test of their computer skills.
- preliminary test data
- The preliminary test data will be analyzed next week.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trial
- A trial is often a test of how well something works over time, while a preliminary test is specifically the first, early check.
- pilot test
- A pilot test is a small-scale version of a full study or project; a preliminary test can be any early check, not always a full project.
Word family
- preliminary adjective
- Coming before a main event or action; early.
- prelim noun
- Informal short form for a preliminary test or exam.
Commonly confused: preliminary test or preliminary exam?
preliminary test vs preliminary exam
A preliminary exam is usually a formal school or university exam, while a preliminary test can be any early trial in science, sports, or work.
Practice
The engineers ran a preliminary test ___ the new engine before the long journey.
Choose one answer.
We say 'a test on something' when we mean testing that thing directly. 'Test for' means checking whether something is present (e.g., test for a virus), and 'test to' is not used here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “preliminary test”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.