initial then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial then" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to indicate a sequence or order, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "First, we will discuss the initial then move on to the next topic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Authors should be listed in order of contribution to the paper by first name or initial, then middle initial (if any), followed by last name.

Science Magazine

This could be more consistent with actions of real bees: EB become main force in the initial, then more and more OB follow, they play the major role afterwards.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Above the church, a skywriter monogrammed the cerulean sky, first with Sinatra's initials, then with a heart.

The New Yorker

There is some amazing material here: Orwell, HG Wells interviewing Stalin, JM Keynes, Bertrand Russell, EM Forster, JB Priestley, DH Lawrence, VS Pritchett, CP Snow, TS Eliot (so many initials then!).

The Guardian

The flower initials then develop to anthesis during the following spring.

AoB PLANTS

Divisions of these initials then produce phloem or xylem mother cells, which in turn can undergo several rounds of cell division before differentiating [ 35].

BMC Genomics

They had already ordered an initial 13, then a back nine, then an additional two.

Los Angeles Times

Tisch envisions a sequence for this horror show: an initial dip, then a half-hearted rally, then the deep slide.

Forbes

But, after the initial silence, then the muted tones, the city is still somehow humming.

The New York Times

Eagleman establishes a set of initial conditions, then lets the implications unfold logically.

The New Yorker

His team suffered through poor initial capitalization, then absentee owners from Japan.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a sequence, use "first, then" or "initially, then" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "initial then" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use a comma after "initially" or use "first, then" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial then" functions as an attempt to denote a sequence, but it lacks grammatical correctness. It aims to describe an order of events but falls short of standard English grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initial then" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules, and its usage can lead to confusion. While it appears in various sources, its low frequency and incorrect structure suggest that it's best to use alternatives like "first, then" or "initially, then" to ensure clarity. Although it surfaces in scientific and news contexts, its rare presence and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for professional communication. Prioritize using grammatically sound alternatives for clear and effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with, then

Adds a clearer introductory phrase to indicate the start of a sequence.

at first, later

Offers a common way to denote a sequence of actions or states.

initially, afterwards

Replaces the two-word sequence with adverbs indicating time.

in the first place, then

Highlights that the initial event is of primary importance before the next event.

first, subsequently

Uses more formal adverbs to indicate the order of events.

initially, following that

Replaces "then" with a more formal phrase indicating what comes next.

in the beginning, afterwards

More verbose way to indicate a time-based sequence.

at the outset, subsequently

Uses sophisticated vocabulary to express the sequence.

first and foremost, then

Emphasizes the initial action more strongly.

primarily, thereafter

Substitutes with somewhat formal alternatives.

FAQs

Is "initial then" grammatically correct?

No, "initial then" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "initially, then" or "first, then".

What can I use instead of "initial then"?

You can use alternatives like "initially, then", "first, then", or "at first, later" depending on the context.

How do I properly indicate a sequence of events in writing?

To indicate a sequence, use phrases like "first, then", "initially, then", or "at first, later". Ensure clear separation with commas when needed.

When is it appropriate to use "initially, then"?

Use "initially, then" to describe a series of actions or states where something happens at the beginning, followed by a subsequent event or condition. For example: Initially, the project faced challenges, then it gained momentum.