Tentative

How it is used

Often used about your own conclusions when evidence is limited: tentative conclusions, a tentative explanation, tentative evidence. The adverb tentatively is frequent in discussions: 'These results tentatively suggest ...'. Being tentative is a key part of hedging.

Example sentences

1. Given the small sample, our conclusions must remain tentative.

2. We offer a tentative explanation for this unexpected result.

Common collocations

• tentative conclusion
• tentative explanation
• tentatively suggest
• remain tentative

Related terms

• hedgingUsing cautious language, such as may, might, appear to or suggest, so that a claim is only as strong as the evidence allows.
• suggestIn academic writing, to indicate that something is probably true without proving it; it can also mean to put forward an idea or recommendation.
• plausibleReasonable and likely to be true, although not yet proven by clear evidence.
• limitationA weakness or restriction in a study's design, sample or methods that affects how far its findings can be generalized or trusted.

More terms: Argument and Hedging

• argument
• evidence
• argue
• claim
• to some extent
• counterargument
• stance
• it could be argued that
• acknowledge
• arguably
• tend to
• it is worth noting that