initial paragraph

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial paragraph" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the introductory paragraph of a written piece. For example, "The initial paragraph of the essay introduces the main idea of the piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The European Central Bank did acknowledge for the first time in the initial paragraph of its opening statement — its main vehicle for communicating with financial markets — that the "risks surrounding the outlook for economic activity are on the downside".

The New York Times

Feferman and Feferman (2004) is a biography of Tarski that also contains a very valuable introduction to his logical and mathematical work, including descriptions of all the results and developments mentioned in the initial paragraph of this entry.

SEP

A Hierarchical Topic Detection algorithm has been described in [101] where a theme area comprising of the title and the initial paragraph of the document has been defined and the detail area has been used for additional details about the topic or subtopic of the topic.

Journal of Big Data

Particular care was taken where a TMRCA was estimated for a divergence upon which a prior had also been specified (see initial paragraph of this sub-section).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Authors may need an initial paragraph or two to persuade the reader of the validity of the methods and should have one paragraph addressing each explicitly raised question or hypothesis; finally, an additional paragraph or two might be useful to report new and unexpected findings.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Specify what type of action you are seeking in response within this initial paragraph.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So numerous were the emendations to the opening scene, set in a Florida airport, that Updike stapled a typed page to the handwritten draft, in which the initial paragraphs are thoroughly resequenced to create an effect less linear and more interior.

The New York Times - Books

But that is not what appears here, not in the initial paragraphs anyway.

SEP

"We have a seven-page waiver, and they need to initial every paragraph and every page," said Mr. Immordino, a Phoenix native who also organizes golf tournaments.

The New York Times

At the bottom of the form, there is a boxed section, with the bold headline "Authorization: Please read carefully, initial each paragraph and sign below".

TechCrunch

We have removed both initial and final paragraphs in their entirety as suggested, and have slightly altered the remaining (second and penultimate) paragraphs to introduce and conclude the paper.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guidelines, clearly label the "initial paragraph" to ensure readers understand where to begin.

Common error

Avoid including too much detail or analysis in the "initial paragraph". Focus on providing a clear and concise introduction to the topic at hand. Detailed information is better suited for the body of the text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial paragraph" functions primarily as a noun phrase, designating the first paragraph of a written document. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to reference and discuss the content or purpose of this introductory section. The phrase acts as a subject or object in sentences describing its characteristics or role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial paragraph" is a noun phrase used to refer to the introductory paragraph of a text. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its primary function is to identify and discuss the content or purpose of the first paragraph. The register is generally neutral to professional, with frequent usage in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly identifies the introductory section and avoid overburdening it with excessive detail. Alternatives like ""opening paragraph"" and ""introductory paragraph"" can also be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opening paragraph

Replaces "initial" with "opening", maintaining the focus on the beginning of the text.

introductory paragraph

Substitutes "initial" with "introductory", emphasizing the paragraph's purpose.

first paragraph

Uses "first" instead of "initial", a more direct way to indicate the paragraph's position.

lead paragraph

Replaces "initial" with "lead", highlighting its role in guiding the reader.

beginning paragraph

Uses "beginning" in place of "initial", focusing on the paragraph's position at the start.

preliminary paragraph

Emphasizes the paragraph's role as a setup or introduction.

starting paragraph

Similar to "beginning paragraph", directly indicating the start of the text.

opening section

Broader term that could encompass multiple paragraphs, not just the first.

intro

Informal abbreviation of "introduction", suitable in some contexts.

preamble

Refers to an introductory statement, often more formal than "initial paragraph".

FAQs

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

You can use "initial paragraph" to refer to the introductory section of a text, like in the sentence: "The "initial paragraph" of the essay introduces the main argument".

What's a good alternative to "initial paragraph"?

Alternatives to "initial paragraph" include "opening paragraph", "introductory paragraph", or "first paragraph".

Is "initial paragraph" formal or informal?

"Initial paragraph" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in more formal contexts, "introductory paragraph" might be preferred.

What should the "initial paragraph" include?

The "initial paragraph" should provide a brief overview of the topic, state the purpose of the writing, and engage the reader.