Frequently Asked Questions About Tentative Definitions
Understanding tentative definitions and their applications can significantly improve your communication in academic, professional, and scientific contexts. These questions address the most common concerns people have when encountering tentative language and provisional explanations.
The concept of tentativeness permeates many aspects of modern knowledge work. From project planning to scientific research, acknowledging uncertainty while maintaining forward progress represents a valuable skill. These answers draw on linguistic research, professional standards, and practical experience to provide actionable guidance.
What is a tentative definition?
A tentative definition is a preliminary or provisional explanation of a term or concept that may be refined or changed as more information becomes available. It serves as a working definition until a more precise or complete understanding is developed. These definitions appear frequently in research contexts where concepts are still emerging or where complete information remains unavailable. For example, when COVID-19 first appeared in late 2019, health organizations provided tentative definitions of transmission mechanisms that evolved as epidemiological data accumulated. Tentative definitions explicitly acknowledge their provisional status, distinguishing them from established definitions in standard reference works.
When should you use a tentative definition?
You should use a tentative definition when dealing with new concepts, emerging fields of study, or situations where complete information is not yet available. It's particularly useful in research, academic writing, and early stages of problem-solving. Tentative definitions work well when introducing novel terminology to colleagues, establishing shared understanding within project teams, or documenting evolving concepts in technical documentation. They also prove valuable when synthesizing information from multiple sources that don't yet offer consensus. The key criterion is whether your understanding might reasonably change with additional evidence or perspective. If you expect refinement, explicitly marking your definition as tentative maintains intellectual honesty and invites constructive feedback.
How does a tentative definition differ from a formal definition?
A tentative definition is provisional and subject to change, while a formal definition is established, precise, and widely accepted. Tentative definitions acknowledge uncertainty and allow for future modifications based on new evidence or understanding. Formal definitions typically appear in dictionaries, standards documents, and authoritative references after extensive vetting. The Oxford English Dictionary, for instance, includes formal definitions developed through systematic analysis of usage patterns across decades. Tentative definitions, by contrast, represent current best understanding without claiming finality. In practice, tentative definitions may include qualifiers like 'for the purposes of this study' or 'as currently understood,' while formal definitions present themselves as authoritative statements. The transition from tentative to formal typically requires peer review, consensus building, and demonstrated stability across contexts.
What does tentative start date mean in a job offer?
A tentative start date in a job offer indicates a projected first day of employment that remains subject to confirmation pending completion of pre-employment requirements. These requirements typically include background checks, reference verification, drug screening, and paperwork processing. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, tentative start dates protect both employers and candidates from premature commitments. Employers avoid onboarding costs if a candidate fails background screening, while candidates can continue job searching until formal confirmation arrives. The confirmation timeline typically ranges from 3 to 7 days before the tentative date, though this varies by industry and position sensitivity. Government positions and roles requiring security clearances often have longer confirmation periods. Candidates should avoid making irreversible commitments like relocating or resigning from current positions until receiving written confirmation that the tentative date has become definite.
What is a tentative thesis statement?
A tentative thesis statement is a preliminary argument or main claim that a writer develops during the early stages of research and writing. Unlike a final thesis that represents a writer's definitive position, a tentative thesis serves as a working hypothesis that guides initial research and may be revised as understanding deepens. Writing instructors at institutions like Harvard and Stanford recommend developing tentative theses early in the research process to provide direction without premature commitment to a specific argument. This approach allows writers to remain open to evidence that might challenge or refine their initial position. A tentative thesis might begin with phrases like 'This paper will explore whether' or 'Evidence suggests that,' indicating its provisional nature. As research progresses and evidence accumulates, writers refine their tentative thesis into a more confident, specific claim. This iterative process produces stronger arguments than committing prematurely to a position before adequate research.
How do scientists use tentative hypotheses?
Scientists use tentative hypotheses as testable predictions about relationships between variables that guide experimental design and data collection. The scientific method explicitly treats hypotheses as provisional statements that empirical evidence will either support or refute. According to the National Science Foundation, a well-formed hypothesis must be falsifiable—meaning evidence could potentially prove it wrong. This tentativeness distinguishes science from dogma by maintaining openness to contrary evidence. Researchers typically develop multiple tentative hypotheses and use experimental results to eliminate those inconsistent with observations. For example, medical researchers testing a new drug might hypothesize tentatively that it reduces symptoms by a specific mechanism. Clinical trials then test this hypothesis across diverse populations. If results contradict the tentative hypothesis, researchers revise their understanding rather than dismissing the evidence. This self-correcting process, built on tentative rather than absolute claims, has proven remarkably effective at generating reliable knowledge about the natural world.
What is tentative language and why do academics use it?
Tentative language, also called hedging, consists of words and phrases that express appropriate caution about claims, such as 'may,' 'might,' 'suggests,' 'appears to,' and 'possibly.' Academics use tentative language to avoid overstating findings, acknowledge limitations in data or methodology, and maintain intellectual humility. Research published in Applied Linguistics found that tentative language appears in approximately 73% of discussion sections in peer-reviewed articles. This linguistic strategy serves multiple purposes: it protects researchers from criticism if subsequent studies contradict their findings, it invites further investigation by framing conclusions as provisional, and it accurately represents the probabilistic nature of empirical evidence. The American Psychological Association and other professional organizations explicitly recommend tentative phrasing when discussing implications and applications. However, excessive hedging can undermine credibility by making writers appear uncertain about well-supported findings. Effective academic writing balances appropriate tentativeness with confidence where evidence justifies stronger claims.
Can tentative definitions become permanent?
Yes, tentative definitions frequently become permanent formal definitions through a process of validation, consensus building, and widespread adoption. This transition typically occurs when a concept stabilizes, evidence accumulates, and communities of practice reach agreement on precise meaning. The term 'smartphone' provides a clear example: early definitions in the late 1990s were tentative as the category emerged, but by 2010, formal definitions appeared in major dictionaries reflecting consensus about essential features like touchscreens, mobile operating systems, and internet connectivity. Academic fields formalize tentative definitions through peer review and citation patterns. When researchers consistently use a term with similar meaning across multiple publications, that usage crystallizes into accepted definition. Professional organizations like IEEE and ISO accelerate this process by publishing standards documents that transform tentative working definitions into authoritative references. The timeline varies considerably—some definitions stabilize within months while others remain tentative for decades. Understanding this process helps clarify the relationship between our homepage content on tentative definitions and the broader knowledge development ecosystem.
When to Use Different Types of Definitions
| Situation | Definition Type | Appropriate Language | Revision Expectation | Example Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New research concept | Tentative | For purposes of this study | High | Emerging technology paper |
| Team project kickoff | Working | As we currently understand | Moderate | Product development meeting |
| Established field | Formal | Defined as | Very low | Textbook or encyclopedia |
| Legal document | Statutory | Shall mean | Requires legislation | Contract or regulation |
| Technical standard | Operational | Measured by | Low | Engineering specification |
| Preliminary proposal | Provisional | Tentatively defined | Moderate-High | Grant application draft |
Additional Resources
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary — Major dictionaries like Merriam-Webster formalize definitions after extensive usage analysis.
- Scientific hypothesis — Learn more about the role of tentative hypotheses in the scientific method.
- Home — Return to our main page on tentative definitions.
- About Us — Learn more about our organization and mission.