What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
provisional
Example
The company made a provisional offer of employment, pending a background check. [provisional: adjective]
Example
The team created a provisional budget for the project until they received more accurate numbers. [provisional: adjective]
tentative
Example
The date for the meeting is tentative and may be changed depending on availability. [tentative: adjective]
Example
The team presented a tentative plan for the project, which will be revised based on feedback. [tentative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tentative is more commonly used than provisional in everyday language. Tentative is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while provisional is less common and often used in specific legal or administrative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between provisional and tentative?
Both provisional and tentative are formal words that are often used in professional or academic settings. However, provisional is more commonly used in legal or administrative contexts, while tentative is more commonly used in creative or academic contexts.
