at first everything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first everything" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to convey an initial state or condition, but it requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "At first everything seemed perfect, but then the problems started to arise."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

At first, everything was great.

The New Yorker

At first, everything was calm.

The New Yorker

At first, everything is perfect.

The New York Times - Arts

At first, everything was a hazard.

The Guardian

At first everything was chiefly about business.

The New York Times

At first, everything seemed OK.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Honeymoon--At first, everything is new and exciting.

Science Magazine

So we look at the box first, everything looks legit to me so far.

Vice

At first glance, everything seems right.

The New York Times - Magazine

At first glance, everything about this phenomenon reeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

At first glance everything about Ennis says shiny, happy, carefree.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a narrative, clarify the subject immediately after "at first" to improve clarity. For example: "At first, everything seemed fine, but..." or "At first, everything about the house was charming."

Common error

Avoid ending a sentence directly after "at first everything" without completing the thought. Always follow with what changed or how the initial state evolved to provide context.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase introducing a narrative sequence. It sets the stage by describing an initial state, often followed by a contrasting event or situation. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not grammatically correct but is frequently used to depict an initial impression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at first everything" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. Despite this, it's a common expression, particularly in the News & Media category, and used to introduce a scenario or situation. While frequently used, it's essential to ensure you complete the thought. For more formal or precise writing, consider alternatives such as "initially everything seemed" or "at the beginning everything was".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially everything seemed

Replaces "at first" with "initially" and adds "seemed" to create a more complete thought.

at the beginning everything was

Substitutes "at first" with "at the beginning" and adds "was" for better flow.

in the beginning all things were

Uses "in the beginning" instead of "at first", offering a slightly more formal tone.

to begin with everything appeared

Replaces "at first" with "to begin with" and uses "appeared" for a more descriptive sentence.

first off everything was

A more informal version using "first off" to indicate the initial state.

initially all was

Concise alternative focusing on the initial state of "all".

at the outset everything was

Uses "at the outset" to specify the starting point.

in its early stages everything

Focuses on the early stages to define the time frame.

in the initial phase all

Highlights the "initial phase" for a more structured approach.

primarily everything looked

Using "primarily" to show that what follows is what things were like in the initial stage.

FAQs

How can I properly use the phrase "at first everything" in a sentence?

While "at first everything" is not grammatically correct, you can use it by adding a verb and completing the thought. For example, "At first everything was fine, but then..." or "At first everything seemed normal."

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "at first everything"?

Consider using alternatives like "initially everything seemed" or "at the beginning everything was" for better clarity.

Is it acceptable to use "at first everything" in formal writing?

No, "at first everything" is generally not suitable for formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives in professional contexts.

What does "at first everything" typically imply?

The phrase usually implies that an initial state or condition existed, but it later changed or faced challenges. The follow-up part of the sentence is important to understand the complete context.