Originally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'originally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened, existed, or was done in the past before any changes or alterations were made. For example: "Originally, this was my grandmother's house, but it has been renovated over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shadow chancellor accused Osborne of resorting to smoke and mirrors to disguise the fact that he will be borrowing £198bn more than originally planned and will not achieve his original goal of a balanced structural current budget until 2018-19.

The Guardian

More than 9,000 women were involved originally, and were divided into three groups.

The Economist

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

Also, the supporters of the reforms have appropriated "Obamacare" – originally intended as a derisive label by its opponents – and are now using it with enthusiasm.

The Guardian

About The Scott Trust Ltd The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

When Labour lost in 2010, Balls was originally overlooked by Miliband as shadow chancellor and only took on the role to which he was well suited after the departure of Alan Johnson.

The Guardian

It originally stated in the introduction that the first lagoon power project had the potential to provide 8% of the UK's energy.

The Guardian

The news that she was in hospital originally came from the Twitter account of a BBC Urdu reporter Ahmen Khawaja.

The Guardian

The musical was originally planned to open in California last month, but was pulled by the Weinstein brothers Bob and Harvey, who jointly set up the company, after they decided it wasn't ready.

The Guardian

The Observer has learned that a major report by Ofsted looking at the level of sporting activity in schools before and after the coalition came to office in 2010, which was originally due for publication last August, has been put back to the end of February at the earliest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the evolution of an idea or project, "Originally" can effectively highlight the contrast between its initial conception and its final form.

Common error

Avoid using "Originally" when simply introducing a fact without any subsequent modification or evolution. "Originally" implies a shift or alteration from the initial state; without that change, it's unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Originally" functions primarily to modify verbs or entire clauses, indicating the initial state, manner, or time of an action or situation. As shown by Ludwig, it describes how something was at the start, before any changes occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Originally" serves as an adverb indicating the initial state or manner of something before alterations occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and high frequency, especially in news and media contexts. When using "Originally", ensure that a change or evolution is implied. Alternatives include "initially" and "at first". Understanding these nuances will ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initially

Highlights the first action or state in a sequence.

At first

Emphasizes the beginning or initial stage of something.

In the beginning

Focuses on the starting point or creation of something.

To begin with

Indicates the first point or consideration in a discussion.

Previously

Similar to 'formerly', but can also refer to events in the recent past.

Formerly

Indicates a previous state or condition that has since changed.

Primarily

Focuses on the main or most important aspect at the beginning.

Fundamentally

Indicates the basic or essential nature of something from the start.

At its inception

Highlights the moment something began or was created.

In its infancy

Emphasizes the early stage of development or existence.

FAQs

How can I use "Originally" in a sentence?

"Originally" is used to indicate how something was in the past, before changes occurred. For example, "The building was "originally a school", but now it's an apartment building."

What are some synonyms for "Originally"?

Synonyms for "Originally" include "initially", "at first", or "in the beginning". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "Originally"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "Originally". It's often used to set the stage for a description of something's initial state or form.

What's the difference between "Originally" and "Actually"?

"Originally" indicates a starting point or initial state, while "Actually" is used to introduce a fact that may be surprising or contrary to what was previously thought. For example, "I thought he was American, but "actually he's Canadian"" versus "Originally he was a teacher, but now he works as a software engineer."