at first though

USAGE SUMMARY

"At first though" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the speaker or writer originally thought something, only to be changed by a later experience or thought. For example: At first though I wasn't sure I wanted to take the job, I ended up accepting it in the end.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At first, though, they all failed.

The New York Times - Sports

At first, though, her schedule presented obstacles.

The New Yorker

At first, though, the game was thrilling.

The New York Times - Sports

At first, though, all looks rosy in their world.

The Guardian - Opinion

I didn't know at first, though, that it also had something to do with Arthur.

The New Yorker

At first, though, it looked as if the young mathematician would follow a traditional academic path.

The New York Times - Science

At first, though, we find ourselves in an unidentified space dominated by Collette Richland (April Matthis).

The New Yorker

At first, though, I was just concentrating on not throwing up!

The Guardian - Music

At first, though, it will need more public money to prepare the park for long-term use.

The Economist

At first, though, it seemed that the police did not quite know what to make of the snake march.

The New York Times

At first, though, this couple don't seem too dramatic, certainly not to Olive's students or the customers in Henry's pharmacy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at first though" to clearly indicate a shift in perspective or situation. This helps the reader understand the initial state before the change.

Common error

Avoid using "at first though" repeatedly within a short span. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first though" serves as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas or situations. It indicates an initial perspective or state that is subsequently modified or contradicted. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at first though" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase functioning as a conjunctive adverbial. It effectively introduces a contrast or qualification to an initial idea or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider more formal alternatives in certain settings. The phrase is best used to clearly signal a shift in perspective or understanding. Understanding of the phrase’s usage and its appropriateness based on the context is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially however

Replaces "at first" with "initially", maintaining the contrast with "however".

originally though

Uses "originally" to replace "at first", keeping "though" to show contrast.

at the beginning however

Substitutes "at first" with a more descriptive phrase, keeping "however" for contrast.

in the beginning though

Replaces "at first" with "in the beginning", retaining "though" for a similar effect.

at the start though

Substitutes "at first" with "at the start", preserving the contrasting "though".

at the outset however

Substitutes "at first" with "at the outset", keeping "however" to signal contrast.

initially nevertheless

Replaces "at first" with "initially" and "though" with "nevertheless", both indicating contrast.

at first nevertheless

Keeps "at first" but replaces "though" with "nevertheless" for a stronger contrast.

initially at least

Substitutes "at first" with "initially", and "though" with "at least" showing a condition.

at the beginning at least

Replaces "at first" with "at the beginning", and "though" with "at least" for a conditional contrast.

FAQs

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

Use "at first though" to show an initial state or belief that contrasts with a later one. For example, "At first though, I was hesitant, I now see the benefits".

What are some alternatives to "at first though"?

You can use phrases like "initially however", "at the beginning however", or "originally though" to achieve a similar effect.

Is "at first though" formal or informal?

"At first though" is generally considered neutral and can be used in various contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "initially nevertheless".

What's the difference between "at first though" and "at first glance"?

"At first though" indicates a change in understanding or situation over time, while "at first glance" refers to an initial visual impression. They are not interchangeable.