as a first thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a first thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce an initial idea or consideration before further elaboration or analysis. Example: "As a first thought, I believe we should focus on improving our marketing strategy to reach a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nothing that I ever did during the course of our entire marriage involved me thinking about my wife as a first thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's reserved for LL Cool J's turn as his official black friend, swooping in to forgive and forget without so much as a first thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A first thought as you arrive by riverboat at Amma's jetty is: Where did all the money come from?

Vice

Trust me: we often lie without giving it so much as a second thought.

The New Yorker

Other judges would have thrown them on the scrapheap without so much as a second thought, but Louis Walsh understood Jedward.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On holiday, she always wanted to copy what her older sisters were doing, and would hurl herself into the pool without so much as a second thought.

The Guardian - Sport

Moreover, we've put the costs of these wars on a credit card, without so much as a second thought about what that does to our long-term budget deficits or how it undermines much-needed initiatives here at home.

The New York Times

Sian Rowe With America's Mafia families so paranoid that they'll, ahem, whack their own members without so much as a second thought, many mobsters prefer the relative safety of a prison cell than their previous Sopranos-style life.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Visual beauty aside, Szlachcic has created an interesting study of our semi-conscious movements, and how they can play off and build upon one another without us giving it so much as a second thought.

Vice

Like some sinister beast in a horror movie, the immigration law creeps into peoples' lives and destroys them without so much as a second thought about the human suffering it leaves behind.

Huffington Post

Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) by impacted local communities is added as a second thought to allow local people to make a choice between keeping their status quo as forest dwellers or turning it into small palm oil plantations as long as long as those lands are not considered HCS forests.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a first thought" to introduce an idea that you intend to develop further. It signals to the reader that this is a preliminary consideration and not necessarily a final conclusion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with phrases like "as a first thought". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a first thought" functions as an introductory element, specifically a prepositional phrase that sets the stage for an initial consideration or idea. Ludwig's examples highlight its role in presenting a preliminary viewpoint before further elaboration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a first thought" serves as an introductory element, commonly used to present an initial idea or consideration. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts, primarily in news and media. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically sound, it's relatively rare. When writing, remember to use it to signal a preliminary idea open for further discussion, and avoid overusing similar introductory phrases. Alternatives include "initially" or "at first glance" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial thought

Shifts from a prepositional phrase to possessive form to emphasis the personal point of view.

initially thinking

Changes the structure to a gerund phrase emphasizing the act of initial thinking.

at first glance

Replaces the structure, focusing on an immediate, superficial assessment.

my preliminary idea

Replaces "thought" with "idea", indicating a less formed initial concept.

the first consideration

Emphasizes the act of considering and makes it a subject of the phrase.

a primary consideration

Focuses on the importance of thought and makes it a subject of the phrase.

the starting point

Replaces "thought" with "starting point", changing the phrase to indicate a beginning or origin.

the opening gambit

Uses a more figurative expression, implying a strategic initial move or thought.

as an opening move

Replaces "thought" with "move", metaphorically linking the initial thought to a strategic action.

in the beginning

Uses a simpler expression to indicate the initial phase or thought process.

FAQs

How can I use "as a first thought" in a sentence?

Use "as a first thought" to introduce an initial idea or consideration that you plan to expand upon. For example, "As a first thought, we might consider a complete redesign of the user interface."

What are some alternatives to "as a first thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "initially thinking", "at first glance", or "my initial thought" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "as a first thought" is appropriate for formal writing, although alternatives like "initially" might sound more professional in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "as a first thought" and "as a second thought"?

"As a first thought" introduces an initial idea, while "as a second thought" implies a reconsideration or an alternative idea after the initial one.