first hunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first hunch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an initial instinct or intuition about a situation or decision. Example: "My first hunch was that the project would face challenges, and I was right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fortunately, I knew 1D's SAZERAC, the wonderfully named New Orleans cocktail (try it yourself with this easy recipe from Rosie Schaap), which gave me the A, so I changed my first hunch to AVOCADO ROLL.

The New York Times

My first hunch was that Fonza sounded Spanish and so my mind leapt to the possibility that I'd uncovered a previously unknown Welsh-Patagonian link in Angharad's family history.

BBC

The "Bethenny Ever After" personality, 42, tells the magazine that her first hunch that she and Hoppy, 41, were incompatible came early on in the marriage, and frequent fighting led to counseling sessions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But some other first hunches turned out to be on the right track.

The New York Times

Gladwell has you infer that a two-second hunch can tell you more than months of scientific analysis.

The Guardian - Books

Skinner's third hunch was that the man had gone north on Habersham Street — heading back toward town, to be picked up by a friend.

The New Yorker

Her second project, Hunch, was acquired by eBay in late 2011 by eBay for a reported at $80 million.

Forbes

When I first read about Hunch's Twitter Predictor game, I was pretty skeptical.

TechCrunch

His mother Belma once called her son indoors on a hunch – seconds before a mortar landed on the exact spot where he had been kicking a ball around.

The Guardian

Even if the Eurosceptic Polish and Czech presidents don't deliver a coup de grace to the Lisbon treaty by engineering a second "no" (my hunch: they won't), I would only give this plan D a 60-40 chance of success.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1949, confirming Ramo's hunch, the first Soviet A-bomb was detonated.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first hunch" to clearly indicate an initial impression or instinct before further analysis or information is available. This helps convey the chronological order of your thought process.

Common error

Avoid treating your "first hunch" as a definitive conclusion. It should serve as a starting point for investigation, not the final answer. Always seek corroborating evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first hunch" functions as a noun phrase identifying an initial intuitive feeling or guess. It is used to introduce a preliminary idea before further investigation or analysis takes place, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first hunch" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an initial intuitive feeling or guess. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally frequent, its presence in reliable news sources indicates its acceptance in standard English. When writing, use "first hunch" to clearly mark the starting point of your reasoning but remember not to rely on it as the only source for your conclusion. Consider it as a prompt for further exploration or investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial instinct

Focuses on the innate feeling or impulse as the starting point.

gut feeling at first

Emphasizes the intuitive, emotional aspect of the initial feeling.

early intuition

Highlights the timing and intuitive nature of the feeling.

preliminary notion

Stresses the early and tentative nature of the idea or belief.

original premonition

Suggests a strong feeling that something is going to happen, initially.

first impression

Focuses on the initial perception or judgment formed.

primary inkling

Highlights the subtle hint or vague idea one gets at the beginning.

starting point guess

Emphasizes the speculative nature of the initial thought.

initial assessment

Highlights a formal evaluation from the beginning.

first take

Indicates the first attempt to interpret or understand something.

FAQs

How can I use "first hunch" in a sentence?

You can use "first hunch" to describe an initial feeling or guess about something, such as, "My first hunch was that the deal was too good to be true."

What's a good alternative to "first hunch"?

Alternatives include "initial instinct", "gut feeling at first", or "early intuition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to rely solely on my "first hunch" in decision-making?

While your "first hunch" can be a valuable starting point, it's generally not advisable to rely solely on it. Supplement your intuition with data and analysis for a more informed decision.

How does "first hunch" differ from a "second guess"?

"First hunch" refers to an initial feeling or idea, while a "second guess" implies reconsidering a previous decision or assessment.