as it was first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it was first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something in its original state or form, often in a context where you are comparing it to a later version or interpretation. Example: "The painting was restored to its original colors, as it was first intended by the artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Land has been restored to near its original state as it was first described by Spanish missionaries.

Los Angeles Times

The study as it was first of its nature in the Pakistani health setup and with paediatric patient population, it should be noted here that after the diagnosis of a critical disease like cancer, the financial constraints are so high on the families with low socio economic status.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The High School, as it was first called, opened its doors on October 20, 1839, with 46 students and one teacher/professor, Nathan C. Brooks (1809 1898), who also served as first principal.

Wikipedia

The game of "gawf", as it was first called, spread: first to England, and subsequently to its colonies.

The Economist

Painkiller, as it was first called, opened in May 2010.

The New York Times

Within two years the population of James Fort, as it was first called, grew to 215.

The Economist

The next phase was the Social Web, or Web 2.0, as it was first called.

The Guardian

This became known as the Lagarde List, as it was first leaked to Christine Lagarde, France's former finance minister.

The Economist

For instance, the report notes that the storm went ashore as a Category 3 hurricane in Cuba, not a Category 2, as it was first classified.

The New York Times

The poem, as it was first published, had been cut up, spliced together, and made into something that it wasn't, quite.

The New Yorker

It didn't help that Sheryl Sandberg, a Google executive who was the architect of DotOrg as it was first conceived, left to join Facebook in early 2008.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a historical shift or evolution, incorporate the phrase to anchor the starting point, making the transformation more evident.

Common error

Avoid using "as it was first" when simply describing something's origin without intending to contrast it with a later form. In such cases, using "originally" or "initially" might be more concise and appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it was first" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the original state or condition of something. Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing how things were initially known or conceived.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it was first" is a grammatically correct and usable adverbial phrase that specifies the original state or condition of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although it is not overly common. Predominantly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, the phrase serves to provide historical context and highlight changes over time. Consider using alternatives such as "originally" or "in its original form" for conciseness. Avoid using this phrase when the intention is simply to describe the origin without contrasting it with a later state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in its original form

Focuses on the state or shape of something at its beginning.

originally

A single-word adverb conveying the same meaning.

as originally conceived

Emphasizes the initial idea or design behind something.

in its initial state

Highlights the condition or situation at the beginning.

as initially presented

Focuses on the way something was first shown or introduced.

at the outset

Indicates the very beginning of something.

to begin with

Highlights the starting point in a sequence or process.

in the beginning

A simple and direct way to refer to the start.

from the start

Emphasizes the entire duration from the initial point.

at first

Simply refers to the beginning of something

FAQs

How can I use "as it was first" in a sentence?

Use "as it was first" to specify the original state, name, or form of something, often when comparing it to its current state. For example, "The building, "as it was first" known, has undergone significant renovations".

What's the difference between "as it was first" and "originally"?

"As it was first" is a phrase that emphasizes the initial state or name in relation to a later change. "Originally" is a single word that simply indicates the initial state without necessarily implying a subsequent change.

Are there alternatives to using "as it was first" in formal writing?

Yes, in formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "in its original form", "as originally conceived", or "initially" depending on the specific context.

Is "as it was first" always grammatically correct?

Yes, ""as it was first"" is grammatically correct when used to specify the original state or name of something that has since changed.