tentative

tentative meaning

tentative means 'not certain or fixed; done as a trial or experiment'.

tentative :

uncertain, not fixed

adjective

▪ We have a tentative plan for the trip.

▪ We have an uncertain plan for the trip.

▪ Her voice was tentative when she spoke.

▪ Her voice was uncertain when she spoke.

paraphrasing

▪ provisional – temporary

▪ hesitant – unsure

▪ uncertain – not sure

▪ experimental – trial

Pronunciation

tentative [ˈtɛn.tə.tɪv]

The stress is on 'ten' and sounds like 'ten-ta-tiv'.

Common phrases and grammar about tentative

tentative - Common meaning

adjective

uncertain, not fixed

Part of Speech Changes for "tentative"

▪ tentatively (adverb) – in an uncertain or hesitant way

▪ tentativeness (noun) – the quality of being uncertain or hesitant

Common Expressions with "tentative"

▪ tentative agreement – a temporary agreement

▪ tentative schedule – a schedule that is not fixed

▪ tentative steps – cautious steps

▪ tentative conclusion – a conclusion that is not final

Important examples of tentative in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, tentative is often used to describe plans or agreements that are not final.

▪We have a tentative schedule for the meeting.

▪We have a schedule that is not final for the meeting.

Example of a confusing word: definitive (final, conclusive)

▪We have a definitive schedule for the meeting.

▪We have a final schedule for the meeting.

"Tentative" is an adjective meaning "not certain" or "subject to change," often used to describe plans or schedules that are provisional. In the sentence "We have a tentative schedule for the meeting," it correctly implies that the schedule is not set in stone. "Definitive," on the other hand, means "final" or "conclusive," and using it would imply the schedule is fixed and not open to changes. Therefore, "tentative" is the appropriate choice when indicating that plans are still being finalized.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

Tentative is often used as an adjective to describe nouns like plan, schedule, or agreement in TOEIC grammar questions.

▪The tentative plan will be reviewed tomorrow.

▪The uncertain plan will be reviewed tomorrow.

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

tentative agreement
'a temporary agreement', used when discussing plans that may change.

▪They reached a tentative agreement on the project.

▪They reached a temporary agreement on the project.

tentative steps
means 'cautious steps', used when someone is unsure or careful.

▪She took tentative steps into the room.

▪She took cautious steps into the room.

Differences between similar words and tentative

tentative

,

provisional

differences

Tentative is used for things that are not fixed, while provisional is used for things that are temporary and might change.

tentative

▪We have a tentative date for the event.

▪We have an uncertain date for the event.

provisional

▪This is a provisional license.

▪This is a temporary license.

tentative

Words with the same origin as tentative

The origin of tentative

The word's etymology is not clear.

Word structure

The analysis of the word's composition is unclear.

Words with the same origin

The word's root is unclear or difficult to confirm.

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consent

90

▪give consent

▪obtain consent

noun ┃

verb ┃

Views 7

consent

90

agreement, permission

▪give consent – to give permission

▪obtain consent – to get permission

noun ┃

verb ┃

Views 7

tentative

91

▪tentative agreement

▪tentative schedule

current
post

adjective ┃

Views 8

tentative

91

uncertain, not fixed

▪tentative agreement – a temporary agreement

▪tentative schedule – a schedule that is not fixed

adjective ┃

Views 8

respective

92

▪respective roles

▪respective responsibilities

adjective ┃

Views 7

respective

92

belonging to each one, separate

▪respective roles – each one's part

▪respective responsibilities – each one's duties

adjective ┃

Views 7

arrange

93

▪arrange a meeting

▪arrange the furniture

verb ┃

Views 10

arrange

93

to organize, to plan

▪arrange a meeting – organize a meeting

▪arrange the furniture – organize the furniture

verb ┃

Views 10

associate

94

▪associate with

▪associate member

adjective ┃

noun ┃

Views 4

associate

94

connected, linked

▪associate with – connect with

▪associate member – linked member

tentative meaning

tentative :

uncertain, not fixed

adjective

paraphrasing

Pronunciation

tentative [ˈtɛn.tə.tɪv]

Common phrases and grammar about tentative

tentative - Common meaning

adjective

uncertain, not fixed

Part of Speech Changes for "tentative"

Common Expressions with "tentative"

Important examples of tentative in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

Example of a confusing word: definitive (final, conclusive)

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

tentative

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

tentative agreement 'a temporary agreement', used when discussing plans that may change.

tentative steps means 'cautious steps', used when someone is unsure or careful.

Differences between similar words and tentative

tentative

,

provisional

differences

Words with the same origin as tentative

The origin of tentative

Word structure

Words with the same origin

Please select an image in the quiz

Previous post and next post

90

noun ┃

verb ┃

Views 7

90

agreement, permission

noun ┃

verb ┃

Views 7

91

currentpost

adjective ┃

Views 8

91

uncertain, not fixed

adjective ┃

Views 8

92

adjective ┃

Views 7

92

belonging to each one, separate

adjective ┃

Views 7

93

verb ┃

Views 10

93

to organize, to plan

verb ┃

Views 10

94

adjective ┃

noun ┃

Views 4

94

connected, linked

adjective ┃

noun ┃

Views 4

Same category words

meeting, schedule

tentative

uncertain, not fixed

current post

91

1078

2099

tentative agreement
'a temporary agreement', used when discussing plans that may change.

tentative steps
means 'cautious steps', used when someone is unsure or careful.

current
post