a first pass

USAGE SUMMARY

"a first pass" is a common phrase used in written English.
It is used to talk about making an initial attempt or assessment of something. For example: "We made a first pass at the budget and identified some areas where we can save money."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

CloudCrowd uses machine translation software to make a first pass.

The New York Times

On a first pass, at least, she didn't find much.

The New Yorker

"It gave you a first pass of animation, but it wasn't particularly lively".

The New York Times

But as a first pass, let's make a familiar distinction between investment by households, the government and firms.

The Economist

The conductor Zubin Mehta gave her a first pass at Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" in Florence, Italy, in 1995.

The New York Times - Arts

Here's what we get on a first pass: Kind of looks like job losses everywhere, doesn't it?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The problems are rooted too deep in the supply chain to be fixed by a first-pass effort.

The Economist

This involves making a first-pass comparison of options against the criteria of what matters.

Forbes

A useful metric, tan/D, was developed utilizing the hopper semi-apex angle and orifice diameter (D), and was considered as a first-pass scale-up model.

Powder Technology

Others yet obtained lower ranks, reflecting vigiRank's less-than-perfect performance as a first-pass filter.

Drug Safety

Intravenously administered [C]Phe is not subjected to a first-pass splanchnic extraction.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a first pass" when describing an initial, often quick, examination or attempt, with the understanding that further, more detailed work will follow.

Common error

Avoid treating "a first pass" as the definitive analysis. It's intended as a preliminary step, requiring further investigation for completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first pass" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe an action. Ludwig AI indicates it's commonly used in various contexts to denote an initial attempt or review.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a first pass" is a common phrase that describes an initial attempt or quick review of something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's crucial to remember that a first pass is preliminary and not a substitute for a thorough analysis. Consider alternatives like "an initial attempt" or "preliminary review" to better suit specific contexts. Remember to use "a first pass" to describe an initial, often quick, examination, recognizing that more detailed work is usually required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial attempt

Emphasizes the action of beginning something, focusing on the effort made.

a preliminary review

Highlights the act of examining something in advance, emphasizing the exploratory nature.

a quick look

Implies a brief and cursory examination, suitable for situations requiring speed.

a first draft

Specifically refers to the initial version of a written document.

an initial assessment

Focuses on evaluating something at the outset.

a trial run

Suggests a test or experiment to see how something works.

a surface examination

Implies a shallow investigation without delving into details.

a basic check

Refers to a simple verification process to ensure everything is in order.

a working draft

An early version intended for further development and refinement.

a rough cut

Denotes a preliminary version of a film or video, before final editing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a first pass" to describe an initial review or attempt, such as: "We did "a first pass" on the data to identify any immediate issues."

What does "a first pass" mean?

"A first pass" refers to an initial attempt or quick review of something, often before a more thorough examination is conducted.

What are some alternatives to using "a first pass"?

Alternatives to "a first pass" include "an initial attempt", "preliminary review", or "quick look" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a first pass" in formal writing?

Yes, "a first pass" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical contexts, to describe an initial stage of analysis or processing.