immediate impression

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediate impression" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an opinion or judgment that is formed quickly and without much thought. For example, "I got an immediate impression that she was unhappy about something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Boutwell's immediate impression?

The New York Times

Here is an immediate impression.

The Economist

Her deadpan sensibility made an immediate impression.

The New York Times

It made an immediate impression.

The Guardian - Music

Costa certainly made an immediate impression.

The Guardian - Sport

The most immediate impression was of informality.

The New Yorker

Their fans made an immediate impression.

The Guardian - Sport

My immediate impression is of coherence.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Vellon made an immediate impression on Ms. Jambor.

The New York Times

He made an immediate impression within days of his appointment.

Independent

A Demanding Style Saban made an immediate impression.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediate impression" when you want to emphasize a quick, initial understanding or judgment. It's suitable for describing first encounters, reactions to art, or assessing situations rapidly.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate impression" when you intend to convey a significant, enduring impact. "Lasting impression" is the correct phrase for that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate impression" functions as a noun phrase, where "immediate" modifies "impression". It describes a quick and initial understanding or judgment formed upon encountering something or someone. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate impression" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase for describing a rapid, initial assessment. According to Ludwig AI, it is deemed correct and usable. It finds frequent application across diverse contexts, including news reporting, scientific research, and business communications, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like "first impression" and "instantaneous impression" exist, it's essential to distinguish its meaning from that of "lasting impression". Ensure its use aligns with conveying a quick, initial perception rather than an enduring impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instantaneous impression

Replaces "immediate" with "instantaneous", emphasizing the speed of the perception.

first impression

Focuses on the initial nature of the perception, implying it's the first encounter.

initial perception

Replaces "impression" with "perception", which is slightly more formal.

initial reaction

Shifts from impression to reaction, highlighting the response aspect.

gut feeling

Emphasizes the intuitive, instinctual nature of the impression.

quick assessment

Replaces "impression" with "assessment", making it more formal and analytical.

instant judgment

Highlights the evaluative aspect of the impression.

preliminary view

Focuses on the initial and often incomplete nature of the perspective.

first blush

Emphasizes the superficiality of the initial observation.

early take

More informal, suggesting a preliminary opinion or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "immediate impression" in a sentence?

You can use "immediate impression" to describe someone's first thoughts about something or someone. For example, "My "immediate impression" of the new CEO was positive."

What are some alternatives to "immediate impression"?

Alternatives include "instantaneous impression", "first impression", or "initial reaction", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "immediate impression" or "first impression"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""immediate impression"" emphasizes the speed of the judgment, while "first impression" focuses on the fact that it's the initial encounter.

What is the difference between "immediate impression" and "gut feeling"?

"Immediate impression" is a general term for a quick assessment, while "gut feeling" implies a more intuitive, instinctual sense without necessarily being based on conscious reasoning.