a first sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first sight" is not correct in written English; the correct expression is "at first sight." You can use it when describing an initial impression or observation of something before further examination or consideration.
Example: "At first sight, the painting appeared simple, but upon closer inspection, it revealed intricate details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But I've already taken a first sight of the shark through my mask.

The Guardian - Travel

7 min: A first sight of goal for Santos, after Barcelona allowed them the briefest moment of possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Like a first sight of Eden's biomes, a first view of the overpoweringly lush Jungle is a pleasurable shock.

The New York Times - Travel

Almost instantly Arsenal had a first sight of goal when Joel Campbell lined up a 25-yard free-kick.

The Guardian - Sport

They have some strong batsmen, with a first sight of David Warner to look forward to, and the versatile wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade at seven.

The Guardian - Sport

In giving us a first sight of de Winter standing over a precipice, looking as if he might commit suicide and allowing the nameless narrator to intervene, Hitchcock allows the phallic immovability of the father figure to be contradicted.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I'd like to report a first sighting of a new theatrical bird: the naturalistical.

The New Yorker

As it happened, the same taxi driver arrived to take the visitors away and was treated to a second sight of the duchess, this time waving goodbye.

The New York Times

So that waif on the next flight to Punjab got spared from this love      at a selfish first sight!

The Guardian - Books

Shakespeare's Miranda beguiles a prince at first sight.

The New Yorker

If you hate a work on first sight, fine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the idiomatic expression "at first sight" to ensure grammatical correctness and natural-sounding English.

Common error

Avoid using "a first sight" as it's not the standard idiomatic expression. Instead, use "at first sight" to convey an initial impression. This will improve clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while often intended to function as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing when something is observed or perceived. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct. The correct form is the idiomatic expression "at first sight".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a first sight" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted idiomatic expression is "at first sight", which is used to describe an initial impression or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms that "a first sight" is not standard English. When writing, it's best to use "at first sight" or alternatives like "initially" or "at first glance" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Remember to always prioritize the correct form to maintain credibility and avoid potential misinterpretations. Pay special attention that authoritative sources can be used both correctly and incorrectly, so source alone is not always a signal of correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Replaces "sight" with "glance", focusing on a brief initial look.

upon first observation

Highlights the act of noticing something for the first time.

on initial inspection

Emphasizes a more formal or thorough initial examination.

initially

A shorter, more direct adverb expressing the same idea.

at the outset

Implies something considered at the beginning of a process or situation.

by all appearances

Focuses on how something seems based on initial perceptions.

from the beginning

Similar to "at the outset" but can refer to a longer timeframe.

at a cursory view

Highlights the superficial nature of the initial look.

on the surface

Suggests that further investigation might reveal more than what is immediately apparent.

prima facie

A more formal, legal term indicating something accepted as correct until proven otherwise.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a first sight"?

The correct idiomatic expression is "at first sight". "A first sight" is not grammatically standard.

When should I use "at first sight"?

Use "at first sight" to describe an immediate impression or reaction upon seeing something or someone for the first time. For example, "at first sight, it seemed like a simple problem".

What can I say instead of "at first sight"?

You can use alternatives such as "initially", "at first glance", or "upon first observation" depending on the context.

Is "a first sight" ever correct?

While rarely used and generally considered incorrect, "a first sight" might appear in creative writing or informal contexts, but "at first sight" is the universally accepted and grammatically sound option.