Words / B2

ik-SPLOR-uh-tree/ɪkˈsplɒrətri/

Exploratory means done in order to find out more, not to give a final answer: exploratory talks; an exploratory borehole. Explore is the verb (already in the dictionary); preliminary is a close twin; experimental is the lab twin. An exploratory borehole still needs the depth in metres. Mix-up: exploratory vs explanatory (this batch); explosion; do not write exploratory for a final published result in the source.

Meaning

Done in order to find out more, not to give a final answer (exploratory talks).

Examples

• “An exploratory borehole still needs the depth in metres, the geology paper said.”
• “Exploratory talks featured in the diplomacy source, which is the no-deal-yet sense — still name the parties and the year.”

Good to know

exploratory talks / surgery / borehole. Verb: explore (already in B1). Close: preliminary / fact-finding. Trap: explanatory / a final result. Geography, science, and citizenship. Done to find out more — quote the depth, the n, or the parties.

Near in meaning

preliminary, fact-finding, investigative

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