initially we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially we" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement about what was done or thought at the beginning of a process or situation. Example: "Initially we planned to launch the product in March, but we decided to delay it until June."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Initially we were fairly calm".

The Guardian - Sport

"Initially, we had three stores.

The Guardian - Business

Initially, we talked about Italy.

The New Yorker

Initially, we were not disappointed.

The New York Times - Travel

Initially we thought it was fanciful.

The Guardian

"Initially we thought this could be cured.

The Guardian - Books

"Initially, we started translating Caleb's vase designs.

The New York Times

Initially, we had this vision of owning several horses.

The New York Times - Travel

"Initially, we had not thought about jet fuel," Melo said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Initially, we adjusted for age and sex.

British Journal of Cancer

Initially, we hooked up consistently.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initially we", ensure it clearly introduces a contrast with a subsequent action or thought, indicating a change or evolution in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "initially we" as a mere introductory phrase without a subsequent statement that clarifies how your actions or thoughts evolved. Always provide the contrasting action or thought that followed. Instead, you can provide a more effective statement that includes phrases as "first we".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially we" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, clause, or sentence. It indicates the beginning point of an action, thought, or process. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, its primary role is to set a temporal context, often implying a subsequent change or evolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially we" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase that serves to introduce an action, thought, or state at the beginning of a process, often implying a subsequent change. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. Its frequency and wide applicability make it a common and useful tool in both written and spoken English. Remember to follow up with a contrasting action or thought for clarity. Explore alternatives like "at first we" or "in the beginning we" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first we

Replaces "initially" with "at first", indicating a beginning stage or early action.

in the beginning we

Substitutes "initially" with "in the beginning", emphasizing the starting point of a situation or action.

to begin with we

Uses "to begin with" instead of "initially", suggesting a sequence or order of events.

originally we

Replaces "initially" with "originally", highlighting the initial state or intention.

at the outset we

Employs "at the outset" instead of "initially", indicating the very start or commencement.

in the first instance we

Uses "in the first instance" in place of "initially", focusing on the very first occurrence or action.

firstly we

Swaps "initially" for "firstly", emphasizing the first point or action in a series.

early on we

Replaces "initially" with "early on", indicating something that happened at an early stage.

to start with we

Uses "to start with" instead of "initially", suggesting an introductory action or consideration.

at the start we

Replaces "initially" with "at the start", highlighting the commencement or beginning of an activity or process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "initially we" is used to introduce a starting point or original thought that later changed. For example, "Initially we thought the project would take a month, but it ended up taking three."

What phrases are similar to "initially we"?

You can use alternatives like "at first we", "originally we", or "in the beginning we" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "initially" and "at first" together?

Yes, using both "initially" and "at first" in the same sentence is generally redundant. Choose one or the other for clarity. For example, using "at the outset we" can add emphasis.

What's the difference between "initially we" and "later we"?

"Initially we" describes the beginning state or action, while "later we" describes a subsequent state or action that occurred after the initial one. For example, "Initially we focused on marketing, but later we shifted our attention to product development."