first impressions

USAGE SUMMARY

"first impressions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an initial impression of a person, place, or thing. For example, "My first impressions of the city were overwhelming; there were so many people and things to take in at once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The New York Times - Food

The New York Times

BBC

Independent

The New York Times - Style

The New York Times - Magazine

The Guardian - Travel

The New York Times

Huffington Post

Forbes

TechCrunch

Science Magazine

Wikipedia

Vice

Los Angeles Times

WikiHow

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

First impressions?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Don't trust first impressions.

The New York Times - Food

First impressions are important.

The New York Times

First impressions count".

BBC

First impressions aren't great.

Independent

Your first impressions?

The New York Times

First impressions matter.

The New York Times

First impressions can be misleading.

The New York Times

First impressions are not outstanding.

Independent

"He's making good first impressions.

The New York Times

First impressions are quite promising.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to make a strong impression, focus on your non-verbal communication; maintain eye contact, use open body language, and offer a genuine smile to enhance your approachability and trustworthiness.

Common error

Avoid over-rehearsing your initial interaction. Instead, focus on being present and engaging authentically to foster a more meaningful and memorable connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first impressions" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows this phrase appearing in various contexts, from news articles to personal blogs, often conveying the importance of initial encounters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first impressions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the initial perceptions formed when encountering someone or something new. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied contexts, ranging from news and media to wikis and formal business settings. Given its importance in communication, focusing on creating positive "first impressions" is valuable. While common errors are minimal, avoiding overthinking the introduction is advised to maintain authenticity. Alternatives such as "initial perceptions" or "early judgments" can be used to diversify your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial perceptions

Focuses on the perceptual aspect of forming an initial understanding.

earliest opinions

Emphasizes the timing of the formation of the opinion

early judgments

Emphasizes the evaluative aspect of forming quick opinions.

initial feelings

Highlights the emotional aspect of one's first encounter or experience.

initial assessments

Suggests a more formal or considered initial evaluation.

primary reactions

Focuses on the instinctive or emotional responses experienced initially.

first encounters

Highlights the experience of meeting someone or something for the first time.

preliminary views

Indicates tentative or provisional opinions.

opening gambits

Implies strategic moves made at the beginning of an interaction.

surface readings

Refers to superficial or immediate interpretations.

FAQs

Are "first impression" and "first impressions" the same?

"First impression" (singular) refers to a single instance of forming an initial opinion, while "first impressions" (plural) refers to the general phenomenon or the collection of initial opinions formed. Typically, it's better to use the plural form.

Why are "first impressions" so important?

"First impressions" set the tone for future interactions and can significantly influence how others perceive your competence, trustworthiness, and likability. As Ludwig AI says, “first impressions” are lasting.

What factors influence "first impressions"?

Factors such as appearance, body language, communication style, and initial interactions all contribute to forming "first impressions". These cues help others quickly assess your character and capabilities.

What can I say instead of "first impressions"?

You can use alternatives such as "initial perceptions", "early judgments", or "initial assessments" depending on the context.