initial judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a first assessment or evaluation of a situation, decision, or case before further analysis or information is considered. Example: "After an initial judgment of the evidence, the committee decided to conduct further investigations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Now I'm not entirely unbiased, so I don't quite trust my initial judgment in such matters.

The New York Times

That initial judgment seemed unfair now, as initial judgments often tend to be.

The New York Times - Magazine

As of now, though, I'm sticking with my initial judgment: it looks like curtains for the Mittster.

The New Yorker

An initial judgment ruled in Corliss's and the other employees' favor, but a subsequent proceeding, in 2006, came to a different conclusion.

The New Yorker

He added: "Now, almost two years later, we are gratified that our initial judgment about this unprecedented raid has finally been confirmed".

The New York Times

But, while Mr. Ashcroft suspended his campaign as a sign of mourning, Democrats began rethinking their initial judgment that the seat was lost.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

These initial judgments may not be typical, because they involved relatively low-level suspects.

The New York Times

It also has an underlying moral that people should not let their initial judgments affect their attitude towards a person.

The Guardian

"When their initial judgments about Vietnam were found to be in error, there was no way to confess their error, without risking defeat at the polls".

The New York Times

Prosecutorial intransigence, a galling inability to acknowledge that initial judgments were incorrect, is the hallmark of almost every wrongful conviction case I am familiar with.

The New York Times

"The TUC has heard from disabled people all around the UK who feel the tests have been unfair and ineffective, and it is interesting to see that 39% of appeals against initial judgments are successful".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "preliminary assessment" or "early evaluation" for a more formal or technical tone.

Common error

Avoid treating an "initial judgment" as a definitive conclusion. Always emphasize that it's subject to change with new information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial judgment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a preliminary assessment or evaluation, as seen in Ludwig examples where it refers to early opinions or rulings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial judgment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that refers to a preliminary assessment or evaluation. Ludwig AI indicates it is suitable for describing early opinions or rulings across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While "initial judgment" is valuable for its accuracy, it's important to remember to provide clarifications to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "preliminary assessment" or "first impression" can be considered based on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary assessment

Replaces "judgment" with "assessment", focusing on the evaluation aspect.

initial assessment

Assessment is a more formal term than judgment.

first impression

Highlights the immediate feeling or opinion formed.

early evaluation

Emphasizes the timing of the evaluation.

preliminary conclusion

Indicates a tentative conclusion drawn at an early stage.

original opinion

Highlights the opinion that came first.

first take

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing an immediate perspective.

initial estimation

Emphasizes the aspect of estimation or approximation.

starting point

Focuses on the beginning of a decision-making process.

first diagnosis

More suited for medical or technical contexts

FAQs

How can I use "initial judgment" in a sentence?

You can use "initial judgment" to describe a preliminary assessment or opinion, such as: "The committee's "initial judgment" was that more information was needed."

What's a good substitute for "initial judgment"?

Alternatives include "preliminary assessment", "first impression", or "early evaluation" depending on the context.

Is "initial judgment" the same as "final verdict"?

No, "initial judgment" refers to a preliminary assessment, while a "final verdict" is the ultimate decision after considering all evidence.

When is it appropriate to use the term "initial judgment"?

It is appropriate when discussing a first impression or preliminary evaluation that might be subject to change or further review. Avoid using it when referring to a final or conclusive decision.