initial session

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial session" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the first of a series of meetings or sessions, often in a business setting. For example: "Let's make sure to make the most of our initial session tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After the initial session yesterday, the American ambassador, Adm.

The New York Times

The initial session bluntly dealt with nations behind on dues.

The New Yorker

Such is the initial session with a wellness coach — essentially a life coach for your body.

The New York Times

Three weeks after the initial session, the women have an impromptu reunion to discuss their progress.

The New York Times

Ordinarily, this would take place sixty days after a client's initial session.

The New Yorker

"Parents have to be involved," Ms. Cochran said during a break in our initial session.

The New York Times - Travel

After that initial session, the samurai — particularly lower-ranking members — spent plenty of time facing cameras.

The New York Times - Arts

The earlier meeting fell through after soldiers mistakenly patrolled in an area near a coastal highway where the two teams held an initial session a day earlier.

The New York Times

While the initial session had featured isolated aspects of the nude in the form of apparently dismembered limbs, the second synthesised woman and body into a unitary identity.

The Guardian - Arts

And none of this experience especially prepared me for Cliffs, which, after that initial session, I tried to surf twice a day.

The New Yorker

"It's a really strange story, Berlin," says Wire. "It hasn't really come out, but I didn't go to the initial session.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial session" to clearly indicate the first meeting in a series, especially when setting expectations for ongoing engagement.

Common error

Don't use "initial session" when referring to a one-time event. Ensure it's clear that this is the first of multiple sessions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial session" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the first meeting in a series of planned meetings or events. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial session" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the first meeting in a series of scheduled events. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is generally well-regarded. Predominantly found in science and news media contexts, it serves to identify the starting point of a process. While alternatives like "first meeting" or "introductory consultation" may be suitable depending on the context, "initial session" provides clarity when emphasizing the sequential nature of the meetings. It's important to reserve "initial session" for scenarios where multiple sessions are anticipated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first meeting

Replaces "session" with a more general term "meeting".

first appointment

Simple and direct synonym for the first scheduled meeting.

opening session

Emphasizes the beginning nature of the session.

initial consultation

Focuses on the advisory aspect of the first meeting.

introductory consultation

More formal, suitable for professional contexts.

inaugural session

More formal and emphasizes the beginning of something important.

preliminary appointment

Highlights the preparatory nature of the session.

kick-off meeting

More informal, suggests the start of a project.

commencement session

Formal alternative highlighting the start of a series of sessions.

first stage

Highlights that the session is only the first part of a process.

FAQs

How to use "initial session" in a sentence?

You can use "initial session" to refer to the first meeting of a series, for example: "The therapist conducts an initial session to assess the patient's needs".

What can I say instead of "initial session"?

You can use alternatives like "first meeting", "introductory consultation", or "preliminary appointment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "initial session" or "first session"?

Both "initial session" and "first session" are correct and often interchangeable. "Initial session" might be preferred in more formal or professional contexts, while "first session" is generally more common.

What's the difference between "initial session" and "follow-up session"?

"Initial session" refers to the very first meeting, while "follow-up session" refers to subsequent meetings in the same series. The initial session typically involves introductions, assessments, and goal-setting.