an initial game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial game" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first game in a series, event, or process. Example: "The tournament will kick off with an initial game between the top two teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We built a system called CTArcade, with an initial game (Tic-Tac-Toe), which we evaluated with 18 children aged 10 15.

International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction

Have an initial game plan.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Four days earlier, in the stadium's initial game, an exhibition against the Yankees in warmer weather, about 25,000 enjoyed a 3-2 victory as Casey Stengel, a young outfielder who later managed the Dodgers and the Yankees, hit the first home run in Ebbets Field.

The New York Times - Sports

ALEX RODRIGUEZ's initial game as a Yankee was uneventful.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Moore said if the initial game was a success, it could potentially move to the online services associated with major game consoles like Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. "We continue to talk a good game about online, but we as publishers have not taken full advantage of that opportunity," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Although serious games for children can potentially have important social, educational and health benefits, the research process from initial game design to a robust evaluation is lengthy and complex.

International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction

An unofficial sequel to the initial game called Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden was developed and published in 2008.

Wikipedia

Kain's character was originally conceived circa 1993 by Silicon Knights' president, Denis Dyack, as the protagonist of The Pillars of Nosgoth, an initial video game concept for what would become 1996's Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain.

Wikipedia

A sequel is the works, though the initial game must succeed first.

The New York Times - Arts

The initial game between the sides ended in a 2-2 draw.

BBC

Roma began to lose control after their period of control, with both sides abandoning their initial game plans for fearing of conceding a goal.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the start of a series of games, use "an initial game" to clearly indicate the beginning point.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial game" when referring to the start of a process or activity that isn't specifically a game. Instead, opt for phrases like "the first step" or "the beginning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial game" functions as a noun phrase, where "initial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "game". It specifies that the game is the first in a sequence or a series, indicating its position in a larger context as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial game" is a noun phrase used to denote the first game in a series or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its prevalent use across diverse sources like News & Media, Science and Wiki. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively communicates the starting point in gaming or competitive contexts. When writing, it’s important to ensure it is used in contexts specifically related to games and to avoid it in non-game-related initiations, opting instead for more appropriate terms like "first step".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a first game

Replaces "initial" with "first", indicating the game's position in a sequence.

a starting game

Uses "starting" instead of "initial", emphasizing the commencement of the game.

the opening game

Uses "opening" instead of "initial", highlighting the game that begins a series or event.

the inaugural game

Replaces "initial" with "inaugural", suggesting a more formal or significant first game.

the debut game

Uses "debut" instead of "initial", emphasizing the first appearance of a team or player.

a preliminary game

Replaces "initial" with "preliminary", indicating a game that precedes a main event.

the kickoff game

Replaces "initial" with "kickoff", specific to sports contexts where a kickoff starts the game.

the introductory game

Uses "introductory" instead of "initial", suggesting a game that serves as an introduction.

a maiden game

Replaces "initial" with "maiden", denoting the first game, often in a formal context.

a trial game

Uses "trial" instead of "initial", suggesting a game played for testing or assessment purposes.

FAQs

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

You can use "an initial game" to refer to the first game in a series, such as "The tournament will kick off with "an initial game" between the top two teams."

What are some alternatives to saying "an initial game"?

Alternatives include "a first game", "a starting game", or "the opening game", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "initial game" to describe the first match in a sports tournament?

Yes, "initial game" is perfectly acceptable to describe the first match. For example, "The team needs to perform well in "an initial game" to set the tone for the rest of the tournament."

What is the difference between "an initial game" and "a practice game"?

An initial game refers to the first official game in a series or competition, while "a practice game" is a game played for training or preparation, not part of the official schedule.