a first consultation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first consultation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial meeting or discussion between a client and a professional, such as a doctor or consultant. Example: "During a first consultation, the doctor will assess your medical history and discuss your symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A man visited me for a first consultation in a manic state.

The Guardian - Books

New patients awaiting a first consultation appointment will be told their care will transfer elsewhere.

BBC

Patient delay was defined as the time in weeks from the onset of cough to a first consultation with any health care provider, health service delay as the time in weeks from the first consultation to initiation of treatment, and total delay as the sum of both.

Plosone

This may seem short for a first consultation; however, this is a standard duration in the Netherlands.

Genetics in Medicine

This is a model of a first consultation, you want to have models for different consultations, or types of consultation.

BMC Family Practice

Consultations with the professional caregivers of these teams are free of charge and a first consultation is often organized at the start of treatment.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Cabinet Office has unveiled a second consultation into the use of open standards in government.

The Guardian

After a second consultation involving video review, ­Georgiev's action did result in a goal for the Capitals.

The Washington Post

Ministers had to make an embarrassing climbdown earlier this year and launch a second consultation on whether to replace Britain's ageing nuclear power stations, after a high court judge ruled the first consultation was 'seriously flawed' and 'misleading'misleading

The Guardian - Business

The report comes as pressure mounts on Justine Greening, the education secretary, to publish a second consultation on the national funding formula for schools.

The Guardian

You should select an appointment date several days before the assignment is due, so you will have time to incorporate our suggestions and perhaps even have time for a second consultation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project proposals or reports, use "a first consultation" to indicate the initial exploratory phase of gathering information or feedback.

Common error

While "a first consultation" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "initial assessment" or "preliminary evaluation" in highly professional or academic contexts for enhanced precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first consultation" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies the initial meeting or discussion with a professional. Ludwig provides examples from various domains, confirming its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first consultation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term for describing an initial meeting with a professional. Ludwig AI analysis, along with examples from varied sources such as BMC Family Practice and The Guardian, confirms its validity and applicability across different fields, primarily in scientific and news contexts. While appropriate for general use, consider slightly more formal alternatives like "initial assessment" in strictly academic or professional settings to ensure the utmost clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an introductory consultation

This version includes "introductory" to emphasize that it's the starting point.

an initial meeting

This alternative focuses on the meeting aspect, emphasizing its introductory nature.

a preliminary discussion

This emphasizes the exploratory nature of the initial conversation.

a primary consult

Uses the more concise "primary" to indicate the initial nature of the consultation.

a debut appointment

This term highlights the scheduling of the first official encounter.

an inaugural assessment

This emphasizes the evaluation aspect of the first meeting.

the opening session

This alternative emphasizes the session aspect and beginning.

a maiden conference

This alternative highlights the conference nature and newness of the event.

a starting interview

Focuses on the interview aspect, highlighting that it's the beginning of a process.

the first sit-down

This informal alternative emphasizes the act of sitting down for a discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a first consultation" to describe an initial meeting with a professional. For example, "The doctor will review your medical history during "an initial meeting"."

What's the difference between "a first consultation" and "a follow-up consultation"?

"A first consultation" refers to the initial meeting with a professional, while "a follow-up consultation" is a subsequent meeting to review progress or address new concerns.

What can I say instead of "a first consultation"?

Alternatives include "an initial consultation", "a preliminary discussion", or "an introductory consultation" depending on the context.

In what context is the phrase "a first consultation" most appropriate?

The phrase "a first consultation" is suitable for describing the initial meeting with a professional in fields such as medicine, law, or consulting.