tentatively

/ˈtentətɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɛntətɪvli] /ˈtentətɪvli/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɛntətɪvli] /ˈten-tə-tiv-lē How to pronounce tentatively (audio)/ (ame, mw)

tentatively — adverb

1. If you do something tentatively, you do it without full confidence or certainty,

1.副詞B2
釋義

If you do something tentatively, you do it without full confidence or certainty, often because you are unsure about what will happen or worried about making a mistake.

例句

Constanza tentatively raised her hand in class, unsure whether her answer was right.

adverb before verb: tentatively raised

The young horse tentatively stepped onto the wooden bridge, flicking its ears nervously.

同義詞
  • hesitantly

    Focuses on pausing or delaying before acting, while 'tentatively' emphasises lack of certainty during the action.

  • uncertainly

    Describes a state of doubt rather than the manner of acting; 'tentatively' is more about the cautious execution.

  • warily

    Suggests caution due to perceived danger, whereas 'tentatively' may simply indicate low confidence.

反義詞
  • confidently

    The direct opposite — doing something with full assurance rather than doubt.

文法句型

tentatively + verb (e.g., tentatively agreed)

tentatively + clause-initial position

用法筆記

Tentatively in this sense is most naturally placed immediately before the verb it modifies, though it can also begin a clause for emphasis: 'Tentatively, she pushed the door open.'

常見錯誤

❌He tentatively walked confidently into the room.
✅He tentatively walked into the room, glancing around nervously.
💡'Tentatively' and 'confidently' contradict each other and should not appear together as parallel modifiers of the same action.

2. If something is done tentatively, the arrangement is not yet fixed and could be

2.副詞B2
釋義

If something is done tentatively, the arrangement is not yet fixed and could be altered or dropped later as needed.

例句

Emily and her family have tentatively booked a hotel in Kyoto for next April.

tentatively + booked (arrangement that may change)

The two companies tentatively agreed to merge, pending approval from the competition authority.

同義詞
  • provisionally

    Nearly identical in meaning; 'provisionally' is slightly more formal and common in legal or official contexts.

  • temporarily

    Focuses on time rather than changeability; a temporary arrangement may or may not be changeable.

  • conditionally

    Emphasises that the arrangement depends on a specific condition being met, whereas 'tentatively' simply allows future change.

反義詞
  • finally

    Describes something that is settled and will not be changed.

  • definitively

    Emphasises that a decision is conclusive and not open to revision.

文法句型

tentatively + past participle (e.g., tentatively scheduled)

tentatively + verb (e.g., tentatively agreed)

用法筆記

This sense is common in business correspondence, event planning, and negotiation contexts. It signals that the speaker expects or invites further confirmation. It is not used for irreversible decisions.

常見錯誤

❌The date is tentatively confirmed for Friday.
✅The date is tentatively set for Friday.
💡'Confirmed' implies finality, which contradicts the meaning of 'tentatively'; use 'set' or 'arranged' instead.