getting an initial impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting an initial impression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the first thoughts or feelings one has about a person, situation, or object upon first encountering it. Example: "After meeting the new client, I found myself getting an initial impression of their professionalism and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

I generally read on the computer and start with the Abstract to get an initial impression.

Science Magazine

Be sure to use estimated financial aid calculators offered on the school's website to at least get an initial impression of whether or not you'll be able to afford a school.

HuffPost

To get an initial impression of the variance in guideline adherence between GAIs and the differences between GPs with a relatively high and a relatively low workload, the proportion of guideline adherence was investigated per GAI and per workload-quartile.

BMC Family Practice

To evaluate if the guideline training was conducted as planned, the transcripts of the training meetings were briefly reviewed to get an initial impression of how the guideline training was conducted and how the PDCA approach had been utilized.

BMC Medical Education

According to our experience, intraoperative brain shift does not have to be regarded as a confounder in general when fusing nTMS data with neuronavigation, because nTMS data is used to get an initial impression of the correlation between function and anatomy especially directly after opening the dura.

BMC Cancer

During the first analytical step, the recorded and transcribed interviews were read carefully as a whole to get an initial and holistic impression of the participants' experiences.

BMC Nursing

The compiled text for each case was then read carefully as a whole to get an initial and holistic impression of the participants' experiences of psychosocial challenges and needs.

BMC Nursing

These results provide an initial impression of what an evidence-based policy might look like.

Latin American Economic Review

The house gives an initial impression of glamor, wealth, and raucous fun.

HuffPost

The interviews were transcribed verbatim by RSA, and all transcripts were read repeatedly to get an overall impression of the material before the initial coding.

BMC Medical Education

All transcripts were read simultaneously with the sound of the tapes by MAN to ensure correctness of the transcription and were read repeatedly by the authors to get an overall impression of the material before the initial coding [ 16].

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "getting an initial impression", consider whether a more precise verb like "forming", "gaining", or "developing" might better convey the specific nuance you intend.

Common error

Avoid using "getting an initial impression" in situations where a more concrete assessment has been made. It's best suited for truly initial encounters or readings, not after thorough analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting an initial impression" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the act of forming a first or preliminary idea or understanding about something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting an initial impression" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of forming a preliminary idea or understanding. While it's generally acceptable in various contexts, Ludwig AI suggests that it's often appropriate to consider more precise alternatives like "forming a first impression" or "gaining a preliminary understanding", especially in formal writing. Its frequency across different sources suggest that the phrase is common in science and news & media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forming a first impression

Emphasizes the act of creating an initial judgment.

gaining a preliminary understanding

Focuses on acquiring an early grasp of a subject.

developing an early sense of

Highlights the gradual development of an initial feeling or awareness.

obtaining a basic grasp

Implies acquiring a fundamental understanding at the outset.

achieving a superficial understanding

Suggests a shallow or surface-level initial comprehension.

receiving an initial perception

Stresses the receipt of a first sensory or intuitive insight.

ascertaining a primary viewpoint

Focuses on determining an initial perspective or standpoint.

acquiring an introductory outlook

Implies gaining a basic perspective at the beginning.

building a rudimentary appreciation

Highlights the development of a simple understanding or liking.

gathering a quick overview

Focuses on collecting a brief summary or outline initially.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "getting an initial impression" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "forming a first impression", "gaining a preliminary understanding", or "developing an early sense of".

What's the difference between "getting an initial impression" and "making a judgment"?

"Getting an initial impression" suggests a preliminary, often intuitive, assessment. "Making a judgment", on the other hand, implies a more deliberate and considered evaluation based on available evidence.

Is it ever wrong to use the phrase "getting an initial impression"?

While grammatically correct, "getting an initial impression" might be too vague in contexts where a more definite assessment has already been made. In such cases, opt for stronger verbs that reflect a more thorough understanding.

How to use "getting an initial impression" in a sentence?

Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I was "getting an initial impression" of its feasibility".