at first consideration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first consideration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing an initial thought or impression about a topic before further analysis or reflection. Example: "At first consideration, the proposal seemed beneficial, but further examination revealed potential drawbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

At first consideration, lean finely textured beef is admittedly not all that appetizing.

The New York Times

The implication that an apparently unstructured molecule can still have a very precise function as a freezing inhibitor seems startling at first consideration.

Biophysical Journal

Preparing for the Winter Olympics in a back garden in Leeds is not, at first consideration, likely to dispel the long and wobbly shadow cast by Eddie the Eagle over winter sport in this country.

Independent

At first consideration, this process might exclude toxicants such as typical pest control agents and rather be a phenomenon reserved principally for signalling processes such as are fulfilled by pheromones and other semiochemicals.

Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology

We have this year a small composition from 1947 that might seem a bit frivolous at first consideration but, as you look around you to your peculiar classmate friends — let's face it, everybody's classmate friends are a bit peculiar — it may give you some insight about what you mean to each other and why.

Princeton University

But "life" in the two different senses is much more closely related than it might seem at first consideration.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Early and effective communication to all members of the practice, starting at the first consideration of an EHR, is a key strategy for staff involvement.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

"I was looking at houses, and the first consideration was always the question of whether or not I can recreate my garage," he said.

The New Yorker

To establish that wall thickness the material and its allowable stress at those conditions are the first consideration.

Piping and Pipeline Calculations Manual Construction, Design, Fabrication, and Examination

Although such anomalies may seem simple and unproblematic at first, deeper consideration of them shows that just the opposite is true.

Britannica

Although these anomalies may seem simple and unproblematic at first, deeper consideration of them shows that just the opposite is true.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "initially" or "upon first glance" if a shorter, more concise phrasing is desired without losing the core meaning.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "at first consideration" too frequently in informal writing can make your text sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "initially" or "at first" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first consideration" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or perspective from which something is being considered. As Ludwig AI suggests, it introduces an initial thought or impression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at first consideration" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to introduce an initial perspective or assessment. Ludwig AI confirms that it's commonly used to signal a preliminary thought that may evolve upon further analysis. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears most often in scientific, news, and academic contexts. If a less formal tone is desired, alternatives like "initially" or "at first glance" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb indicating the beginning of a thought process.

upon initial assessment

More formal, emphasizing the act of evaluating something at the beginning.

at first glance

Focuses on a quick, visual assessment rather than a deeper thought process.

on the face of it

Implies that something appears a certain way before further inspection.

at the outset

Indicates something at the beginning or start of a process.

to begin with

Highlights starting point of something.

in the beginning

Focuses on the temporal aspect of something.

primarily

Single-word synonym, pointing out the initial aspect.

from the starting point

Emphasizes the position of something in time.

firstly

Simply describes something happening first.

FAQs

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

You can use "at first consideration" to introduce an initial thought or impression about something before further analysis. For example, "At first consideration, the plan seemed perfect, but further investigation revealed several flaws."

What are some alternatives to "at first consideration"?

Some alternatives to "at first consideration" include "initially", "upon first glance", or "on the face of it".

Is "at first consideration" formal or informal?

"At first consideration" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, alternatives like "at first" or "initially" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "at first consideration" and "at first sight"?

"At first consideration" implies an initial thought or assessment, while "at first sight" refers to an immediate, often visual, impression. For example, you might say, "At first sight, the painting appeared simple, but at first consideration, it revealed deeper complexities."