an initial review

USAGE SUMMARY

'an initial review' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an initial assessment or analysis of something. For example: "We conducted an initial review of the documents and found several discrepancies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will complete an initial review of your application.

Harvard University

In a statement, he said that an initial review had "revealed that standard procedures might not have been followed".

The New York Times

The ride was closed pending an investigation, but an initial review showed it was operating normally, the statement said.

The New York Times

The department makes at least an initial review of every merger above $50 million, Mr. Neppl said.

The New York Times

"There was much less substance to the department's charges than an initial review would indicate," the committee's findings noted.

The New York Times

The goal light did not go on and after an initial review, the Flyers were not given a goal.

The New York Times - Sports

The agency called in Peter Mason, former director of security at the Palace of Westminster, to conduct an initial review.

The Guardian

Lots of mergers now get an initial review even though nobody believes they pose any threat to competition.

The Economist

"After an initial review of the advocate general's opinion of more than 40 pages it seems like years of work could pay off.

The Guardian

The Competition and Markets Authority said that after an initial review, it had decided not to refer the deal to an advanced, phase-two inquiry.

The Guardian - Business

About seventy per cent of applications were approved after an initial review, with few or no demands for further information from the groups concerned.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial review", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reviewed and the purpose of the review. For example, "an initial review of the contract" provides more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial review" when a comprehensive analysis has been performed. "Initial" implies a preliminary, not exhaustive, examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial review" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the action or process of examining something at the beginning, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

32%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an initial review" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to a preliminary assessment or examination. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news media, academia, and scientific research. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While many alternatives exist, such as "a preliminary assessment" or "a first look", it is important to use "an initial review" when referring to the beginning stage of evaluating something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary assessment

This alternative highlights the assessment aspect more strongly than the review aspect.

a first assessment

Replaces 'initial' with 'first', emphasizing the order in which the review takes place.

a starting evaluation

This phrase uses 'starting' instead of 'initial' and 'evaluation' instead of 'review'.

a primary evaluation

Using the word primary emphasizes the fundamental nature of the assessment.

an early evaluation

This option suggests that the review occurs relatively soon in a process.

a quick overview

Suggests a less detailed and faster assessment than an initial review.

a brief examination

The phrase focuses on the brevity and the process of examining something.

a surface-level analysis

This indicates a basic level of analysis, lacking in-depth investigation.

an introductory check

Replaces review with check suggesting a more casual examination.

a basic inspection

Focuses on the act of visually inspecting something to identify issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "an initial review" to describe a preliminary assessment or evaluation. For example, "After "an initial review", we identified several key areas for improvement".

What is a good substitute for "an initial review"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary assessment", "a first look", or "a basic overview", depending on the specific context and level of detail involved.

What does "an initial review" imply about the scope of the assessment?

"An initial review" suggests that the assessment is a starting point and that more detailed analysis may follow. It is not necessarily comprehensive or exhaustive.

Is "an initial review" the same as "a final review"?

No, "an initial review" is the opposite of "a final review". "An initial review" is a preliminary assessment, while a final review is conducted at the end of a process to ensure completeness and accuracy.