at first look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first look" is not correct in standard written English; the correct expression is "at first glance." You can use it when you want to describe an initial impression or observation of something before further examination.
Example: "At first glance, the painting seemed simple, but upon closer inspection, it revealed intricate details."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I wondered at first look, "Is it a bootie?

The New York Times

At first look, the world's best players did double-takes.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet, sympathetic as these ideas seem at first look, they become dubious at a longer one.

The New Yorker

Made in 1971, the images at first look bizarre: hairy things folding this way and that.

The New Yorker

All of this -- even the quotations that at first look most derivative -- is perfectly fine.

The New York Times

I did not like the West Coast at all at first look.

The Guardian - Film

That amounts to a turnaround of $419 billion -- a number that appears staggering at first look.

The New York Times

At first look, the participants appear to have posed behind frames held up by assistants.

The New York Times - Arts

Viciously satirical at first look, the pictures give rise to a troubling compassion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The definition of second-look comes from the common event that a lesion undetected at first-look ultrasound is detected at the second look, when the radiologist knows from MRI where to look.

European Radiology

NEW YORK -- After a couple months on the job, Eric Bates doesn't yet have a title at First Look Media.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives like "at first glance" or "initially" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at first look" in formal writing. While it's understood, it's not considered standard English. Choose "at first glance" or "initially" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first look" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the initial perception or assessment of something. Ludwig reports it is considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

24%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "at first look" is widely used, it is considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. As Ludwig AI indicates, alternatives such as "at first glance" or "initially" are more appropriate. The phrase functions adverbially, conveying an initial impression. Its usage spans news media and scientific contexts, but formal writing benefits from more precise alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Similar to "at first sight", but can also apply to non-visual initial impressions.

at first sight

Focuses on the visual aspect of the initial impression.

initially

This is a shorter, more direct adverb that means "at the beginning".

upon first viewing

Specifically refers to visual impressions, often used in art or film contexts.

on initial inspection

More formal and emphasizes a careful or methodical first examination.

originally

Focuses on the initial state or belief before further information is available.

to begin with

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of the observation.

to start with

Similar to "to begin with", but slightly more informal.

in the beginning

Highlights the start of a process or observation.

prima facie

A legal term meaning "on the face of it", implying that something seems true until proven otherwise.

FAQs

What does "at first look" mean?

The phrase "at first look" is used to describe an initial impression or assessment of something. Although commonly used, it is considered grammatically incorrect; "at first glance" or "initially" are more appropriate alternatives.

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

You can use alternatives such as "at first glance", "initially", or "at first sight" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at first look" or "at first glance"?

"At first glance" is the correct and more widely accepted phrase. "At first look" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "at first look" and "initially"?

"At first look" is generally considered incorrect, whereas "initially" is a grammatically sound alternative. "Initially" simply means "at the beginning" and can replace "at first look" in many contexts.