initially used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially used" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that was used at the beginning or start of a process or situation. Example: Initially used as a temporary solution, the makeshift shelter eventually became a permanent residence for the homeless population.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were initially used for percussion.

Stanford University

The EMAN2 software suite43 was initially used.

Nature

The metal bumper initially used for the robot.

Cornell University

Arc discharge was initially used for the synthesis of fullerenes.

Britannica

It was initially used for television broadcasts of cricket.

The New York Times - Sports

The ACFs were initially used as dispersing agents.

Carbon

Consumer GPS devices will tell you your location and were initially used by sailors and explorers.

The Guardian

Police officers initially used rocks to smash their way into two overturned carriages.

The New York Times

In music, folk was initially used to describe traditional song and dance.

The Guardian - Music

The account initially used a picture of her and her husband as its profile photo.

The Guardian

It was initially used by young people, drug dealers and criminals as a secret language.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the evolution of a tool or method, use "initially used" to clearly mark its original purpose before later adaptations.

Common error

Avoid implying that something is still primarily used for its original purpose if it has since been adapted for other applications. Be sure to clarify its current use separately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially used" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb. It modifies a verb, specifying when or how something was used. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initially used" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the original purpose or application of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its use spans across diverse fields like news, science, and academia, as seen in numerous examples. While "first used" is a close synonym, "initially used" offers a broader scope, highlighting the beginning phase without strictly focusing on the absolute first instance. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the subsequent evolution or current use is also clarified to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first used

Highlights the chronological order, specifically that it was the very first time something was used.

firstly used

Similar to 'first used', emphasizing the chronological start.

early used

Indicates a use in the early stages or period of something.

principally used

Focuses more on the primary use rather than the initial use, implying it might still be a significant use.

preliminarily used

Emphasizes the experimental or tentative nature of the initial use.

previously used

Indicates a past use, but doesn't necessarily imply it was the very first use.

mainly used

Suggests that the primary purpose for the initial use was the principal function.

immediately used

Focuses on the promptness of the use, rather than its initial nature.

formerly used

Emphasizes a past use that is no longer current, without necessarily being the very first use.

basically used

Highlights the fundamental reason of using something in early stages.

FAQs

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

Use "initially used" to describe the first purpose or application of something before it was adapted for other uses. For example, "The software was initially used for data analysis but is now used for project management."

What are some alternatives to "initially used"?

You can use alternatives like "first used", "originally used", or "primarily used" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "initially used" and "previously used"?

"Initially used" refers specifically to the very first use of something. "Previously used" ("previously used") simply indicates a past use without necessarily implying it was the first.

Is it correct to say "initially use" instead of "initially used"?

No, "initially use" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "initially used", which employs the past participle to indicate that the action of using occurred in the past. You might, however, say "we initially use" in the present tense.