a first impression of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first impression of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's initial thoughts or feelings about a person, place, or thing upon first encountering it. Example: "After meeting her for the first time, I had a first impression of her as being very confident and approachable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You have a first impression of this person," he says.

Independent

He forms a first impression of a poem almost at once.

The New Yorker

Although foyers offer a first impression of a home, they are often overlooked.

The New York Times

There are two ways to get a first impression of the city.

The Guardian - Travel

It advised him to emulate Roosevelt's first "hundred days" with "a first impression of energy, direction, action and accomplishment".

The Guardian

This evening officials reported a series of findings that gave a first impression of the possible cause.

The New York Times

Alas, Mr. Wechsler, who had given a first impression of being an informal, even playful, fellow, is beyond joking.

The New York Times

In order to receive a first impression of the landscape-level distribution of carbon, a map of carbon concentrations in the topsoil was generated.

Forest Ecology and Management

Coughlin, who had waited a long time to see his most prized rookie play, was asked for a first impression of Beckham.

The New York Times - Sports

A first impression of burned sugar and dark bread crust gives way to baked fruit — wild blueberry pie? 72percentToledodo from Belize ($9.50).

The New York Times - Food

As a result, quite a few new acquaintances have formed a first impression of the man (quite false) as closed and cold.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's character, use "a first impression of" to convey initial thoughts, acknowledging these might evolve as you get to know them better.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a first impression of" someone or something as a definitive assessment. Emphasize that it is an initial view, subject to change with more information or experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first impression of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an initial assessment or feeling about something or someone, as seen in examples like "You have "a first impression of" this person". Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first impression of" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe an initial judgment or feeling about something or someone. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for diverse contexts, from scientific reports to news articles. While the phrase is prevalent in both "Science" and "News & Media", remember that it conveys a preliminary assessment that may evolve over time. When using this phrase, avoid presenting it as a definitive conclusion. Instead, acknowledge it as an initial perspective that may change with more information or experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial perception of

Emphasizes sensory or intuitive understanding.

an initial assessment of

Focuses on evaluation rather than general feeling.

a preliminary idea of

Highlights that the idea is not yet fully formed or complete.

an early indication of

Focuses on signs or clues that suggest something.

a superficial understanding of

Suggests a lack of depth in the initial understanding.

a basic grasp of

Highlights a fundamental understanding.

a cursory view of

Emphasizes the brevity and lack of detail in the observation.

a snapshot of

Implies a brief, visual representation.

a working knowledge of

Suggests a practical understanding for immediate use.

a glimpse of

Implies a fleeting or incomplete view.

FAQs

How can I use "a first impression of" in a sentence?

Use "a first impression of" to describe your initial thoughts or feelings about something or someone. For instance, "My "first impression" of the city was its vibrant culture and friendly people".

What are some alternatives to saying "a first impression of"?

Alternatives include "an "initial perception" of", "a "preliminary assessment" of", or "an "early indication" of", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to base decisions solely on "a first impression of" something?

While "a first impression of" something can be informative, it's generally not advisable to make critical decisions based solely on it. Gather more information and consider multiple perspectives before making a judgment.

What's the difference between "a first impression of" and "a lasting impression of"?

"A "first impression" of" refers to your initial thoughts or feelings upon first encountering something, while "a "lasting impression" of" refers to the enduring impact something has on you after repeated exposure or experience.