an initial examination

USAGE SUMMARY

"an initial examination" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a first or preliminary examination that is performed to determine the status of something. For example, "The doctor performed an initial examination of the wound to determine the severity of the injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Copenhagen City Heart Study. 10 135 men and women aged 21 98 years who attended an initial examination in 1991 1994 and were re-examined after 10 years.

BMJ Open

One law enforcement official said that an initial examination uncovered some bruising on the boy's body.

The New York Times

Each patent application will now undergo an initial examination and two reviews, instead of one review.

The New York Times

Amanda was unresponsive, but an initial examination found no evidence of a major wound, a police spokesman said.

The New York Times

After an initial examination, he was treated for acute gastroenteritis and dehydration but his condition continued to deteriorate.

The Guardian

Security sources said an initial examination of the crash site showed the plane went down due to a technical fault, Reuters reported.

The Guardian

During an initial examination on Sunday, the spacewalking astronaut Daniel M. Tani collected what he called "metal-to-metal scraping" that peppered the inside of the joint mechanism.

The New York Times - Science

However, it is very clear from an initial examination of the papers that the policy pursued by Thatcher in 1981 was inflexible, intransigent and at crucial points duplicitous.

The Guardian - Opinion

US investigators said yesterday that an initial examination of the incident had shown that the plane was shot down by guerrillas.

The Guardian

Our work provides an initial examination into the sequence characteristics and function of ISREs, providing an important contribution to the splicing code.

Stanford University

This paper therefore aims to offer an initial examination of these two variables and then to explore of the implications for urban planning and real estate growth.

Habitat International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an initial examination" when you want to convey that something is being looked at or assessed for the first time, often to determine the next steps.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "an initial examination" in highly formal documents if a more specific term like "preliminary assessment" or "introductory analysis" would provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial examination" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of performing a preliminary assessment or inspection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial examination" is a common noun phrase used to describe a preliminary assessment or inspection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, consider more specific alternatives like "preliminary assessment" or "introductory analysis" in highly formal settings. Ludwig's examples underscore its usage in diverse scenarios, from medical assessments to technical investigations. Remember to use it when conveying the first step in an evaluative process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary assessment

Focuses on the assessment aspect rather than the examination, implying a first-stage evaluation.

a primary investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, suggesting it's the first step in an inquiry.

an early evaluation

Emphasizes the timing of the evaluation, indicating it's done at an early stage.

an introductory analysis

Focuses on the analytical aspect, implying it's the beginning of a deeper analysis.

a basic inspection

Highlights the simplicity and fundamental nature of the inspection.

a first look

More informal, suggesting a quick and cursory inspection.

a brief study

Indicates a short and concise investigation.

a surface-level review

Indicates a review that doesn't go into deep detail.

a cursory check

Suggests a quick and not very thorough check.

a swift appraisal

Highlights the speed and the act of appraising the subject.

FAQs

What does "an initial examination" mean?

The phrase "an initial examination" refers to a first or preliminary assessment or inspection conducted to gather basic information or identify potential issues. It's often used to determine the scope and direction of further investigation or action.

How can I use "an initial examination" in a sentence?

You might say, "An initial examination of the patient revealed no signs of serious injury" or "An initial examination of the documents is necessary before proceeding further.

What are some alternatives to "an initial examination"?

Some alternatives include "a preliminary assessment", "a first look", or "an early evaluation", depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "an initial examination"?

It's appropriate to use "an initial examination" in various contexts, such as medical assessments, security checks, document reviews, or investigations, where a preliminary assessment is conducted to gather initial information or identify potential issues.