My first impression was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My first impression was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when sharing your initial thoughts or feelings about a person, situation, or experience. Example: "My first impression was that the presentation was well-organized and engaging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

When he bought the manual, he says, "my first impression was, my God, this reads like a bad psychology textbook.

The New Yorker

My first impression was that he was a lovely man and I was impressed by how talented he was.

The Guardian

"My first impression was: So many claims have become wrong.

The New Yorker

"My first impression was what a gentleman he was".

The New Yorker

"My first impression was all these artificial colours, neon signs.

The Guardian

My first impression was that he was still raw.

The Guardian - Sport

My first impression was confirmed: I had never seen such smoothness.

The New Yorker

My first impression was that I had been transported to some cool new space in Copenhagen.

The New Yorker

"My first impression was like, 'Wow, this is a cute girl,' " he said.

The New York Times

My first impression was that it was an embarrassment to anyone over 30.

The New York Times

My first impression was that she looked more alive than any other person I'd ever seen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My first impression was" to introduce a personal anecdote or observation, providing context for further explanation or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "My first impression was" as a definitive judgment without providing further context or acknowledging potential changes in perspective. First impressions can be inaccurate or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My first impression was" serves as an introductory phrase used to preface a subjective assessment or initial perception of a person, place, thing, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its utility in setting the stage for a narrative or providing context for an opinion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "My first impression was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce an initial assessment or subjective perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for many situations, it's essential to consider the context's formality and avoid presenting first impressions as definitive judgments. Alternatives like "Initially, I thought" or "At first glance, I noticed" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initially, I thought

Focuses on the thought process at the beginning.

At first glance, I noticed

Highlights the visual aspect of the initial perception.

My initial reaction was

Emphasizes the immediate emotional or behavioral response.

My immediate thought was

Focuses on the very first thought that came to mind.

My first thought upon seeing was

Specifically refers to the first thought upon visual perception.

I was immediately struck by

Highlights a strong, sudden impression.

What immediately came to mind was

Focuses on the idea that formed first.

My first take on it was

A more informal way of expressing the initial assessment.

Upon first encountering it, I felt

Focuses on the feeling experienced during the first encounter.

The first thing that occurred to me was

Highlights the initial idea or realization.

FAQs

How can I use "My first impression was" in a sentence?

"My first impression was" typically introduces a description of your initial thoughts or feelings about something. For example: "My first impression was that it was too much".

What are some alternatives to "My first impression was"?

You can use alternatives like "Initially, I thought", "At first glance, I noticed", or "My initial reaction was" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a formal essay with "My first impression was"?

While grammatically correct, starting a formal essay with "My first impression was" might be too informal. Consider using a more objective introduction unless the essay explicitly calls for personal reflection.

What's the difference between "My first impression was" and "My initial thought was"?

"My first impression was" generally refers to the overall feeling or sense you got initially, while "My initial thought was" focuses specifically on the first thought that came to your mind. The former is broader, the latter more specific.