immediate reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediate reaction" is a perfectly correct phrase in written English and it can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, "When the news of the terrorist attack spread, people had an immediate reaction of fear and sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's my immediate reaction.

The Guardian - Sport

His immediate reaction?

The New York Times

The immediate reaction was ferocious.

The Guardian - Arts

It was an immediate reaction.

The Guardian

My immediate reaction was disappointment.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr Castro's immediate reaction was cynical.

The Economist

The immediate reaction was cautious praise.

The New York Times

Administration officials had no immediate reaction.

The New York Times

My immediate reaction was, what the heck?

The New York Times

Çavuşoğlu's comments drew immediate reaction from Vienna.

The Guardian

Immediate reaction to Eisgruber's selection was positive.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of events, use "immediate reaction" to highlight the first, most instinctive response to a stimulus. This emphasizes the spontaneity and lack of deliberation.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate reaction" when you're actually describing a carefully planned strategic response. "Immediate reaction" implies spontaneity, not a pre-determined plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate reaction" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the initial response to a stimulus, situation, or piece of information, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate reaction" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the first and often instinctive response to a stimulus. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While alternatives exist, "immediate reaction" provides a clear and neutral way to communicate the spontaneity of a response. Remember to use it when describing truly spontaneous responses and avoid confusing it with pre-planned actions. Also, be aware that the phrase is frequently used in media, but it can also be successfully implemented in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instant response

Focuses on the speed and spontaneity of the response, similar to "immediate reaction".

instantaneous response

Similar to "instant response", emphasizing the very short time frame.

reflex response

Emphasizes the involuntary and automatic nature of the reaction.

spontaneous response

Highlights the unplanned and natural quality of the response.

initial response

Highlights that the reaction is the first one to occur.

knee-jerk reaction

Suggests a hasty and unthinking response, often with negative connotations.

prompt response

Emphasizes the quickness of the response.

swift response

Focuses on the speed and alacrity of the response.

first blush response

Refers to the initial reaction upon first encountering something.

untrained response

Emphasizes the involuntary and absence of trained thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "immediate reaction" to describe someone's first, often emotional, response to an event. For example, "Her "immediate reaction" was disbelief when she heard the news".

What are some alternatives to "immediate reaction"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "instant response", "spontaneous response", or "knee-jerk reaction".

Is there a difference between "immediate reaction" and "delayed reaction"?

"Immediate reaction" refers to a response that happens very quickly after a stimulus, while "delayed reaction" indicates that the response is postponed or takes time to manifest.

When is it appropriate to use "knee-jerk reaction" instead of "immediate reaction"?

"Knee-jerk reaction" implies a hasty, often negative, and unthinking response. Use it when you want to criticize the lack of consideration behind the reaction, whereas ""immediate reaction"" is a more neutral term.