at first I think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first I think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an initial thought or impression about something before potentially changing your mind later. Example: "At first I think this project will be easy, but I soon realize it requires more effort than I anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"At first i think it was an alternative to taxi because it was faster, and now it's cheaper… But now it's started competing with other things, like rental cars".

TechCrunch

He felt a bit awkward at first, I think.

The Guardian - Film

At first, I think Altman is gently taking the piss.

The Guardian - Film

At first, I think, it was the alien quality of it.

The Guardian

At first I think I've misheard him, which is remarkably easy to do.

The Guardian - Music

At first, I think he's talking about a dessert; then I see the burnt trees.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

At first I thought, "Wow!

The New York Times

At first, I thought: Mom.

The New York Times

At first I thought I should wait.

The New York Times

"At first I thought they were kidding".

The New York Times - Food

At first, I thought this was expensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at first I think" to introduce a viewpoint that may evolve or change as more information becomes available. This shows open-mindedness and critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "at first I think". Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "initially, I believed" or "my initial impression was" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first I think" functions as an introductory expression used to preface an initial thought, impression, or belief. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it serves to signal a preliminary viewpoint that might evolve as more information is considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at first I think" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a preliminary thought or impression. Ludwig AI's analysis of various sources, primarily from news and media and academic contexts, shows that it serves to signal a tentative viewpoint. While acceptable in most situations, overuse should be avoided by alternating with phrases like "initially, I believed" or "my first impression was". The phrase is suitable for neutral and informal contexts, but less common in formal academic writing where more precise language may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially, I believe

Replaces "at first" with "initially" for a more formal tone, while retaining the expression of belief.

at the beginning, I thought

Substitutes "at first" with "at the beginning" to emphasize the temporal aspect of the initial thought.

in my initial assessment, I felt

Offers a more analytical approach, replacing "think" with "felt" to highlight a subjective assessment.

my first impression was

Focuses on the immediate feeling or perception, omitting the explicit statement of thinking.

to begin with, my opinion was

Emphasizes the starting point of a formed opinion, using "opinion" instead of "think".

originally, I assumed

Replaces "think" with "assumed", suggesting a potentially incorrect initial belief.

at the outset, I gathered

Highlights the initial understanding or gathering of information.

I initially had the impression

Focuses on the received impression, making the statement more descriptive.

in the beginning, it seemed to me

Emphasizes the appearance or seeming of something at the start.

firstly, I considered

Introduces the initial consideration of a matter, using "considered" as a more thoughtful alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "at first I think" in a sentence?

Use "at first I think" to introduce a preliminary thought or impression that you might later revise or expand upon. For instance, "At first I think this task is simple, but I soon realized it's more complex than I anticipated."

What can I say instead of "at first I think"?

You can use alternatives like "initially I believe", "at the beginning I thought", or "my first impression was" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at first I think"?

Yes, "at first I think" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express a preliminary or initial thought. However, it's important to ensure clarity and context when using the phrase.

What's the difference between "at first I think" and "later I think"?

"At first I think" indicates an initial thought or impression, while "later I think" suggests a subsequent thought or realization. The former sets up an initial perspective, while the latter introduces a thought that developed over time.