I initially learned of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I initially learned of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first time you became aware of something or received information about a particular topic or event. Example: "I initially learned of the new policy changes during the staff meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The automaker said in its report to the agency (PDF) that it initially learned of the problem from in-house testing, which was followed by failures in four customer vehicles.

The New York Times

I initially learned about patent law as a career option from my first-year laboratory rotation adviser at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Science Magazine

It also asked, when they recalled a breaking news story they followed in the last week, whether they had tried to find out more about it after initially learning of it.

The Washington Post

In Moshi, Tanzania, the research team found twenty-three orphafters after initially learning of just three from local government officials, challenging the definition of what can be called an orphanage.

Duke University

Participants identified four means of initially learning of medical tourism, namely: word-of-mouth (n = 13), non-targeted Internet searches (n = 10), print and televised media stories and advertising (n = 6), and familiarity with other countries' health systems due to their having emigrated from them (n = 2).

Globalization and Health

This study set out to determine to what extent students enrolled in our program were remembering (and forgetting) what they had initially learned in some of their first year basic science courses as a step towards making important curricular decisions [ 5, 6].

BMC Medical Education

In experiment 6, four target stimuli were initially learned over three rounds of unlimited presentation and subsequent feedback training, and afterwards the influence of variable presentation time on recognition performance was tested (see Figure 3 D).

Plosone

The volunteers initially learned to sustain relaxation by means of the instrument, but then were able to detect the signs of tension in their daily lives and to counteract them.

The New York Times

Science demands the open mind, willing to look at the new evidence, even if it means giving up a long-held and even cherished concept, and even if it means unlearning a lot of what we initially learned in our science classrooms and laboratories.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Alfred Nobel initially learned the fundamentals of engineering from his father.

Britannica

František had initially learned the trade of a brewer, and had acquired moderate wealth during the Napoleonic Wars by supplying clothing and provisions to the French Army.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "I initially learned of" to clearly indicate the starting point of your understanding or knowledge about a particular subject or event. It's particularly useful when contrasting your initial understanding with later, more developed knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "I initially learned of" when describing comprehensive expertise. The phrase suggests a basic or incomplete early understanding, not mastery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I initially learned of" functions as a declarative statement introducing how the speaker acquired initial knowledge or awareness about a topic. Ludwig AI identifies its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I initially learned of" serves as an introductory declaration of the speaker's first encounter with specific information, often implying a contrast with later knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When crafting content, remember that this phrase works best for introducing a basic or preliminary understanding, as opposed to comprehensive expertise, and can be replaced with other semantically-related phrases, such as "I first discovered" or "I originally found out about" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At first, I learned of

Adds "at first" to explicitly indicate the beginning of the learning process.

I first discovered

Replaces "learned" with "discovered", implying a more accidental or exploratory initial encounter.

I initially became aware of

Substitutes "learned" with "became aware", focusing on gaining consciousness or knowledge.

I originally found out about

Uses "found out" instead of "learned", suggesting a more casual or informal discovery.

My first exposure to

Emphasizes the experience of being introduced to something for the first time, rather than the acquisition of knowledge.

I was first introduced to

Highlights the act of being presented with information or a concept for the first time.

I came to know about initially

Inverts the phrase structure and uses "came to know" for a slightly more formal tone.

The first time I heard of

Focuses on the auditory aspect of receiving initial information.

I initially gained knowledge of

Replaces "learned" with the more formal "gained knowledge", stressing the acquisition of understanding.

My introduction to was initially

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the subject of the learning experience.

FAQs

How can I use "I initially learned of" in a sentence?

Use "I initially learned of" to describe the first time you gained knowledge or awareness of something. For example, "I initially learned of the company through a friend's recommendation".

What can I say instead of "I initially learned of"?

You can use alternatives like "I first discovered", "I originally found out about", or "I first became aware of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I initially learned about" instead of "I initially learned of"?

Both "I initially learned of" and "I initially learned about" are grammatically correct. "I initially learned about" is more common, while "I initially learned of" tends to refer to a specific instance or piece of information.

What's the difference between "I initially learned of" and "I later discovered"?

"I initially learned of" indicates the beginning of your knowledge, while "I later discovered" implies a more in-depth or surprising finding that occurred after your initial understanding. The second phrase usually indicates an evolved understanding.