initially learned of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially learned of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first time someone became aware of a particular piece of information or event. Example: "I initially learned of the new policy changes during the staff meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The automaker said in its report to the agency (PDF) that it initially learned of the problem from in-house testing, which was followed by failures in four customer vehicles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It also asked, when they recalled a breaking news story they followed in the last week, whether they had tried to find out more about it after initially learning of it.

The Washington Post

In Moshi, Tanzania, the research team found twenty-three orphafters after initially learning of just three from local government officials, challenging the definition of what can be called an orphanage.

Duke University

Participants identified four means of initially learning of medical tourism, namely: word-of-mouth (n = 13), non-targeted Internet searches (n = 10), print and televised media stories and advertising (n = 6), and familiarity with other countries' health systems due to their having emigrated from them (n = 2).

Globalization and Health

The volunteers initially learned to sustain relaxation by means of the instrument, but then were able to detect the signs of tension in their daily lives and to counteract them.

The New York Times

One of seven siblings, he grew up in Port Of Spain, Trinidad, initially learning to play the piano, and subsequently steel-pan.

Independent

Tells of recollections about initially learning to ski in New Hampshire in the 1930's and the Arlberg technique of skiing commonly used at that time.

The New Yorker

Alfred Nobel initially learned the fundamentals of engineering from his father.

Britannica

František had initially learned the trade of a brewer, and had acquired moderate wealth during the Napoleonic Wars by supplying clothing and provisions to the French Army.

Wikipedia

This study set out to determine to what extent students enrolled in our program were remembering (and forgetting) what they had initially learned in some of their first year basic science courses as a step towards making important curricular decisions [ 5, 6].

BMC Medical Education

This may help him initially learn to roll over.[1].

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially learned of" when you want to emphasize the starting point of your understanding or knowledge about a particular subject. It provides a clear indication of when your awareness began.

Common error

Avoid using "initially learned of" interchangeably with phrases like "later discovered" or "eventually understood". The phrase "initially learned of" should only be used when referring to the very first instance of gaining knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially learned of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the point at which someone first gained knowledge or awareness of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase introduces the origin of information or how awareness began.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initially learned of" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate the first instance of gaining knowledge about something, as supported by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage across varied contexts including news, academia, science and wiki sources. To ensure correct application, use "initially learned of" specifically when referring to the very first moment of awareness. Alternatives such as ""first became aware of"" or "originally discovered" can provide subtle shifts in meaning, depending on your desired emphasis. Remember that clarity in conveying the origin of knowledge is the primary function of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first became aware of

Emphasizes the beginning of awareness rather than the learning process.

first found out about

Highlights the discovery aspect of gaining information.

originally discovered

Focuses on the act of uncovering something new.

initially heard about

Specifies that the information was received audibly.

first encountered

Suggests an initial meeting or experience with the information.

originally understood

Focuses on the initial comprehension of a subject.

first got wind of

Implies that the information was received through rumor or indirect means.

initially noticed

Highlights the act of observing or perceiving something for the first time.

first realized

Emphasizes the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

first discerned

Indicates a subtle or careful discovery.

FAQs

What does "initially learned of" mean?

The phrase "initially learned of" means to become aware of something for the first time. It indicates the starting point of one's knowledge about a particular subject or event.

How can I use "initially learned of" in a sentence?

You can use "initially learned of" to indicate when you first became aware of something. For example, "I "first became aware of" the problem during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "initially learned of"?

You can use alternatives like ""first became aware of"", "originally discovered", or "initially heard about" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "initially learned about" or "initially learned of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "initially learned of" is typically used to indicate the source or cause of gaining knowledge about something, whereas "initially learned about" refers to what was learned. For example, "I initially learned of the issue through a report", versus, "I initially learned about the company during my onboarding process".