initial misgivings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial misgivings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubts or concerns that someone has at the beginning of a situation or process. Example: "Despite her initial misgivings about the project, she decided to give it a chance and see how it developed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

And in China the head craftsman overcame his initial misgivings about the project, she said.

The New York Times

In his pitch to the family, Posnanski quickly identified one of their initial misgivings.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite initial misgivings about the English-language production, the show has been a huge ratings success in France.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She overcame her initial misgivings about these ventures and had a great deal of fun during the productions.

The Guardian

Despite his initial misgivings, Dr. Wainwright ended the conversation by offering to fly Mr. Pell to Duke for a visit.

The New York Times - Science

Self has even lost some of his initial misgivings about being quite that close to the highway.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Making changes to MEND to suit the local context had been implemented by some, though not without misgivings: "… my initial feeling … coming from a research background, was that that's a really bad idea because we're not working from an evidence base.

BMC Public Health

In March, Günter Krämer's new production of Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" for the Opéra Bastille got under way with a "Rheingold" that offered initial grounds for optimism but also aroused misgivings.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite these misgivings, Paullus thought it unwise to withdraw the army after the initial success, and camped two-thirds of the army east of the Aufidus River, sending the remainder to fortify a position on the opposite side.

Wikipedia

Ultimately, we hope these initial efforts at building consensus around a common taxonomy and framework will help overcome misgivings that mHealth innovations are the new "verticals" of this decade.

Global health, science and practice

Josh had misgivings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial misgivings", clearly state the subject or situation to which the misgivings relate to provide context for the reader. For example, "Despite his initial misgivings about the plan, he decided to support it."

Common error

Avoid implying that "initial misgivings" necessarily persisted. Make it clear whether the misgivings were overcome, confirmed, or evolved over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial misgivings" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "initial" modifies the noun "misgivings". Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English, describing doubts or concerns at the start of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

19%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial misgivings" effectively conveys early doubts or reservations about a particular situation or decision. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "early doubts" and "preliminary concerns", offering slight variations in tone and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the misgivings and whether those misgivings persisted or were later resolved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early doubts

Replaces "initial" with "early", focusing on the timing of the doubts.

preliminary concerns

Substitutes "misgivings" with "concerns" and "initial" with "preliminary", indicating early worries.

first reservations

Uses "reservations" instead of "misgivings", suggesting a more formal tone.

initial hesitations

Replaces "misgivings" with "hesitations", emphasizing a pause or reluctance.

early apprehensions

Substitutes "misgivings" with "apprehensions", suggesting a sense of anxiety or unease.

original concerns

Replaces "initial" with "original", focusing on the first set of worries.

initial qualms

Uses "qualms" instead of "misgivings", implying moral or ethical concerns.

primary reservations

Substitutes "initial" with "primary", emphasizing the importance of the reservations.

incipient doubts

Replaces "initial" with "incipient", indicating that the doubts are just beginning to form.

opening concerns

Uses "opening" instead of "initial", suggesting the concerns that arise at the beginning.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "initial misgivings"?

You can use alternatives like "early doubts", "preliminary concerns", or "first reservations" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "initial misgivings" in a sentence?

The phrase "initial misgivings" is used to describe early doubts or reservations someone has about something. For example: "Despite her "initial misgivings", she decided to proceed with the project".

Is it correct to say "early misgivings" instead of "initial misgivings"?

Yes, "early misgivings" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "initial misgivings". Both phrases convey the same meaning of having doubts or reservations at the beginning of something.

What's the difference between "initial misgivings" and "final misgivings"?

"Initial misgivings" refer to the doubts or reservations at the beginning of a process or situation, whereas "final misgivings" (if used) would refer to the doubts or reservations at the end. It is more common to describe how initial feelings evolved.