I think first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I think first" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of taking the time to think before doing something. For example, "Whenever I am presented with an important decision, I think first before making a final choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"He's also somebody who's, I think, first and foremost, thinking about how to embrace people as opposed to push them away.

The New York Times

I think first things first.

The New York Times - Sports

I think first of the personal qualities.

The New York Times

I think, first of all, this is a welcome challenge.

Yale University

I think, first, let's give him a try.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think first half we rushed and took some shots that we shouldn't have taken.

The New York Times - Sports

I think first and foremost you have to have a basic love of humanity.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I think first-time buyers getting financing is going to become more of an issue," she said.

Los Angeles Times

I think… first of all my GP is sceptical about it, and I think it's too special for them.

BMJ Open

A participant said this when asked why they do not use their GP for challenging behaviour or mental health problems: I think… first of all my GP is sceptical about it, and I think it's too special for them.

BMJ Open

"I think first I actually leaped out of my chair," she recalled.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I think first" to introduce a preliminary thought or consideration before delving into more complex reasoning or detailed analysis. This sets the stage for a thoughtful and well-considered argument.

Common error

While "I think first" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less confident. In formal contexts, consider more assertive alternatives like "Initially, I propose..." or "My assessment is..." to convey authority and conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think first" functions as an introductory expression, signaling a preliminary consideration or opinion before proceeding with further discussion or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I think first" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase employed to introduce a preliminary thought or opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals a personal perspective and frames subsequent statements as a product of one's own thought process. While its register is generally neutral, it's most commonly found in news, academic and scientific contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "initially I believe" or "my initial thought is" for a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The first thing I think is

Adds "thing" to emphasize the specific element being considered at the start.

First, in my opinion

Adds "in my opinion" to explicitly state that the following statement is a personal viewpoint.

I believe initially

Replaces "think" with "believe" and "first" with "initially", emphasizing the preliminary nature of the belief.

Before anything else, I think

Reinforces the priority of thinking before proceeding with anything else.

My initial thought is

Highlights that the statement is the speaker's starting point in thinking about the subject.

I start by thinking

Highlights the action of 'thinking' as the initiating activity.

To begin, I consider

Emphasizes the action of considering something as the first step in a process.

My first impression is

Focuses on the immediate feeling or understanding derived from something.

Initially, I assume

Replaces "think" with "assume", suggesting a starting point based on less evidence.

My preliminary assessment is

Emphasizes a more formal evaluation or judgment as the first step.

FAQs

How can I use "I think first" in a sentence?

You can use "I think first" to introduce a preliminary thought before providing details or analysis. For example, "I think first we need to define the problem, and then we can explore possible solutions."

What's a more formal alternative to "I think first"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "initially I believe" or "my initial thought is" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it redundant to say "I think first"?

While not strictly redundant, using alternatives like "first, in my opinion" can sometimes provide more clarity or emphasis depending on the context.

What is the difference between "I think first" and "I thought first"?

"I think first" expresses a current or habitual practice of thinking before acting or speaking. "I thought first", on the other hand, describes a past action of thinking before doing something else; however, it sounds unnatural and it's preferable to rephrase such sentence.