My initial reaction was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My initial reaction was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing your first thoughts or feelings about a particular situation or event. Example: "My initial reaction was one of surprise when I heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

My initial reaction was perplexity.

The Guardian - Books

"My initial reaction was embarrassment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"My initial reaction was one of disbelief".

Independent

My initial reaction was, Good for you.

The New York Times - Sports

"My initial reaction was: 'You're kidding!

The New York Times

My initial reaction was to be appalled.

The Guardian

"My initial reaction was, I'm done," Mr. Murphy recalled.

The New York Times

"My initial reaction was to burst into tears.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My initial reaction was to dismiss her as daft.

The Guardian - Sport

"My initial reaction was, not again," she said.

The New York Times

My initial reaction was one of total bemusement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My initial reaction was" to clearly indicate your first impression or response to an event or piece of information, setting the context for further explanation.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "My initial reaction was". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to introduce your initial thoughts in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My initial reaction was" serves as an introductory clause, setting the stage for describing a personal response to a situation or event. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It prefaces a statement about one's immediate thoughts or feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My initial reaction was" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce your first thought or feeling about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and functions as an introductory clause. It's most common in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While versatile, avoid overuse by varying sentence structure with alternatives like "my first thought was" or "at first I thought". Using the phrase effectively can clearly convey your immediate perspective and contextualize your subsequent explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My first thought was

Focuses on the immediate thought process rather than the emotional response.

My immediate response was

Emphasizes the speed and spontaneity of the reaction.

I immediately thought

A more direct way of expressing the first thought.

My gut reaction was

Highlights an instinctive, emotional response.

I was initially taken aback

Suggests a surprised or shocked first response.

My first impulse was

Focuses on the initial urge or inclination to do something.

I instinctively felt

Highlights an immediate, emotional response.

At first I thought

A simpler, more direct way of saying what you initially believed.

Initially, I considered

Highlights what was first taken into consideration.

My original assessment was

Focuses on the initial evaluation or judgment made.

FAQs

How can I use "My initial reaction was" in a sentence?

You can use "My initial reaction was" to introduce your first thought or feeling about something. For example, "My initial reaction was surprise when I heard the news".

What's a more formal way to say "My initial reaction was"?

In a more formal setting, you could use phrases like "Initially, I responded with", or "My immediate response was". These alternatives maintain a professional tone.

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

You can use alternatives like "my first thought was", "my immediate response was", or "at first I thought" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "My initial reaction were"?

No, the correct phrasing is "My initial reaction was", as "reaction" is singular and requires the singular verb "was".