My initial impression was

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"My initial impression was that here was an ambitious young girl with a pretty good game, two big groundstrokes and a good service action.

The Guardian - Sport

My initial impression was of a clean and modern city, which is the case in much of downtown, but the picture is patchy: Even the more prosperous areas are marred by failed commercial developments, empty littered lots and graffiti.

The New York Times - Travel

My initial impression was that this was a man who was completely careless about his appearance, but I eventually concluded that the scrupulous inattention to wardrobe and grooming was of a piece with his refusal to fly on airplanes (visiting America from his home in Berlin, he travels by ship) or to carry a cellphone.

The New York Times - Magazine

My initial impression was that the phone itself felt light and thin, but also extremely cheap and plasticky (I couldn't give Xbox Live, the Internet Explorer and other apps a spin because Wi-Fi and 3G were turned off – in the few minutes I played with it, the UI felt great).

TechCrunch

My initial impression was that the show seemed to be as much about introspection as it was self-promotion.

Vice

The emphasis was firmly on fitness though: "My initial impression was that it's a new wearable fitness device to rival a Nike Fuelband or Fitbit Flex — a smartphone companion rather than a smartphone alternative," wrote journalist Christina Farr.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But my initial impression is that it's a clever out-of-the-box design, which I like to credit".

The New Yorker

A definitive answer will emerge only with time, but my initial impression is that the London decisions may be a tentative first step.

The New York Times

"My initial impression is the enemy had a hand in this, and there's also a fair chance that our strike had some role in it".

The New Yorker

"My initial impression is that it must be authentic; the provenance and history, the inventory number on the reverse, the brushwork, the colours – some have faded – the reference in a letter.

Independent

My initial impression is that Benedict Cumberbatch is a good, personable Hamlet with a strong line in self-deflating irony, but that he is trapped inside an intellectual ragbag of a production by Lyndsey Turner that is full of half-baked ideas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My initial impression was" to introduce a viewpoint that might evolve as you gain more information. It sets the stage for further analysis or a change in perspective.

Common error

Avoid presenting "My initial impression was" as the definitive conclusion, especially if further investigation or evidence contradicts the initial assessment. Instead, use it as a starting point and indicate how your understanding has changed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My initial impression was" serves as an introductory clause. It prefaces a statement expressing a preliminary assessment or viewpoint. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used in diverse contexts to set the stage for further elaboration or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My initial impression was" is a commonly used phrase to introduce a preliminary assessment or viewpoint. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media sources. It serves as an introductory clause, setting the stage for further explanation or analysis. While alternatives exist, this phrase provides a clear and effective way to express a first reaction. Therefore it's a great tool to express initial thoughts that may change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My first impression was

A simple alternative focusing on the overall initial view.

My first thought was

Focuses on the immediate thought that came to mind.

My initial reaction was

Emphasizes the emotional or instinctive response.

My immediate thought was

Stresses the speed and spontaneity of the thought.

I initially thought

A more direct and concise way of expressing the initial thought.

My initial feeling was

Highlights the emotional aspect of the first experience.

At first glance, I believed

Implies a judgment based on a quick observation.

I initially perceived

Highlights the way something was understood or interpreted at first.

The first thing that struck me was

Focuses on a particular aspect that was especially noticeable.

My preliminary assessment was

Suggests a more formal or considered judgment.

FAQs

How do I use "My initial impression was" in a sentence?

Use "My initial impression was" to introduce your first thoughts or feelings about something. For instance, "My initial impression was that the project would be challenging, but it turned out to be quite manageable."

What can I say instead of "My initial impression was"?

You can use alternatives like "my first impression was", "I initially thought", or "at first I believed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "My initial impression is" instead of "My initial impression was"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "My initial impression was" refers to a past initial assessment, while "My initial impression is" refers to your current, but possibly still preliminary, assessment.

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

While both phrases are similar, "My initial impression was" might suggest a slightly more considered or thoughtful first reaction, whereas "my first impression was" is often used for more immediate, spontaneous reactions.