initially suggested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially suggested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a proposal or idea that was put forward at the beginning of a discussion or process. Example: "The plan that was initially suggested has undergone several revisions based on feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He initially suggested scrapping Medicare entirely.

The Economist

Ocean Front initially suggested razing the club.

The New York Times

Although Canadian coaches initially suggested that the I.B.U.

The New York Times - Sports

In the 999 call, the nurse initially suggested five minutes, then said she was unsure.

The Guardian

Police initially suggested that Scott had taken Slager's Taser and posed a threat.

The Guardian

Asic initially suggested that the regulations did not allow free company and director searches for journalists.

The Guardian

Sources say that the family initially suggested the figure of €30 million.

The New York Times - Arts

It was initially suggested that "Stone" climb the power plant, but he refused.

The Guardian

The Bank's governor, Mark Carney, had initially suggested that a review was not necessary.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Koda had initially suggested that Hamish Bowles work on the exhibit.

The New York Times

Undergraduates on the planning committee initially suggested that it be built with corncobs or straw bales.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially suggested" when you want to highlight that an idea or plan has evolved or changed since its original proposal.

Common error

Avoid using "initially suggested" when the original suggestion is still the current plan or course of action. Instead, opt for phrases like "suggested" or "proposed" to indicate that the idea hasn't changed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially suggested" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb. It indicates that a suggestion was made at the beginning of a process or discussion. The adverb "initially" modifies the verb "suggested", adding a temporal dimension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initially suggested" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote a proposal or idea that was put forward at the outset of a process. As Ludwig confirms, its frequent appearance across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and wikis underscores its versatility and broad applicability. When using "initially suggested", be mindful of its implication that the original suggestion may have evolved or been superseded. Alternatives like "first suggested" or "originally proposed" can offer similar nuances. This expression has neutral register, making it suitable for diverse types of content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first suggested

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the suggestion being the first one made.

originally proposed

Highlights that the idea was the original proposal.

early suggested

Focuses on the suggestion being made early in a process or discussion.

preliminarily suggested

Implies that the suggestion was a preliminary thought or idea.

at first suggested

Directly contrasts the initial suggestion with later developments.

tentatively suggested

Indicates a suggestion made with hesitation or uncertainty.

primarily suggested

Highlights that the suggestion was the main or most important one made.

previously recommended

Indicates that the suggestion was made in the past as a recommendation.

formally suggested

Indicates a suggestion made in a formal or official setting.

hypothetically proposed

Signifies a suggestion given as a hypothesis or theoretical idea.

FAQs

How can I use "initially suggested" in a sentence?

You can use "initially suggested" to describe a proposal or idea that was put forward at the beginning of a discussion or process. For example: "The plan that was "initially suggested" has undergone several revisions based on feedback."

What are some alternatives to "initially suggested"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "first suggested", "originally proposed", or "tentatively suggested", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "initially suggested" and "previously suggested"?

"Initially suggested" emphasizes that the suggestion was made at the very beginning, while "previously suggested" simply indicates that it was suggested at some point in the past.

Is it correct to say "initially suggest" instead of ""initially suggested""?

No, "initially suggest" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. ""initially suggested"" is the past participle form, which is typically required when using "initially" to modify "suggest" in the past tense.