initial visit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial visit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the first time someone visits a place, such as a doctor's office, a company, or a new location. Example: "During my initial visit to the doctor's office, the nurse took my vital signs and asked about my medical history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

On an initial visit it was also the loudest.

The New York Times

Although she was worried at that initial visit, I wasn't.

The New York Times

A 30-year-old woman, a student at a local school, came for an initial visit.

The New York Times - Magazine

He spent two, three, or more hours on the initial visit.

The New Yorker

The patient gets the first aligner six weeks after the initial visit.

The New York Times

Having armed themselves with as much information as they could, they book their initial visit.

The Guardian

Following her initial visit in 1936, she ended up living there half the time.

The Guardian

The initial visit is always tricky, but she has found ways to smooth things over.

The New Yorker

The circumstances of Kerr's stay in Wellington were, of course, quite different from her initial visit.

The New York Times

They helped prepare Sara Gruen for her initial visit to the Great Ape Trust.

The New York Times - Books

During an initial visit with a potential customer, we went through the protocol.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events in chronological order, use "initial visit" to clearly mark the first occurrence in a series of visits or encounters.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "first initial visit". The word "initial" already implies that it is the first, making "first" redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial visit" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to the first instance of someone going to a particular place or meeting someone for a specific purpose. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial visit" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to denote the first time someone visits a place or attends a meeting. According to Ludwig, it functions to mark the starting point of a process and is suitable for use in neutral, formal, and scientific contexts. To avoid redundancy, it's best not to precede it with "first." Related phrases such as "first appointment" or "inaugural visit" can be used as alternatives depending on the context. With its prevalence across diverse domains, "initial visit" is a reliable term for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Beginning visit

Simply replaces "initial" with another synonym.

Starting visit

Simply replaces "initial" with another synonym.

First appointment

Replaces "visit" with a more specific term, implying a scheduled meeting.

Inaugural visit

A more formal synonym for initial visit.

Introductory meeting

Focuses on the purpose of the first visit as an introduction.

Preliminary consultation

Emphasizes the advisory nature of the first visit, especially in professional settings.

Opening session

Common in therapeutic or training contexts.

First round

Referring to the first of a series of actions or visits

Maiden voyage

Uses a metaphorical term to describe the first occurrence.

First check-up

A more colloquial expression that implies the nature of the first visit.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial visit" to describe the first time someone goes to a place for a specific purpose. For example, "During my "initial visit" to the doctor, I had several tests done."

What's a more formal way to say "initial visit"?

A more formal way to express "initial visit" is "inaugural visit". This is often used in official or ceremonial contexts.

What can I say instead of "initial visit" in a medical context?

In a medical context, you can use phrases like "first appointment" or "preliminary consultation" to convey the same meaning.

Is there a difference between "initial visit" and "first visit"?

While "initial visit" and "first visit" are often used interchangeably, "initial visit" might imply a more formal or structured encounter than simply a "first" visit.