my first impression

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first impression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a brief assessment or opinion that you formed on first meeting someone or experiencing something. For example, "My first impression of the movie was that it was going to be an enjoyable watch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MY first impression of "Blink" -- in blurb-speak -- was "Fascinating!

The New York Times - Books

When he bought the manual, he says, "my first impression was, my God, this reads like a bad psychology textbook.

The New Yorker

My first impression wasn't great.

The New York Times

My first impression: WOW!

The Guardian

My first impression didn't help.

The Guardian - Travel

That was my first impression of Andrés.

The Guardian - Sport

"My first impression was: So many claims have become wrong.

The New Yorker

"My first impression was what a gentleman he was".

The New Yorker

My first impression: Borges, hovering, like a guardian angel.

The New Yorker

My first impression of Petros Vafiadis was of a bear.

The New York Times - Magazine

I found my first impression to be essentially correct.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my first impression", follow it with specific details or examples to support your initial viewpoint and make it more convincing.

Common error

Avoid making definitive or sweeping statements based solely on "my first impression". Acknowledge that initial impressions may evolve with further information or experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first impression" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a subjective assessment or initial opinion. Ludwig shows that it's commonly used to preface a personal viewpoint based on limited initial exposure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my first impression" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce an initial assessment or opinion. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, and is considered versatile and appropriate for use in a variety of registers. Ludwig AI also indicates that the phrase follows standard grammatical rules, confirming its usability in written English. When using this phrase, be sure to provide supporting details to enhance credibility, and avoid making overly definitive statements based solely on this initial assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial thought

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of forming an opinion.

my immediate reaction

Emphasizes the spontaneity and speed of the response.

my gut feeling

Highlights an intuitive, instinctive sense or feeling.

my first take

Suggests a preliminary assessment or understanding.

my opening assessment

Conveys a more formal or structured initial evaluation.

my preliminary judgment

Highlights the tentative nature of the initial evaluation.

my starting point view

Indicates the beginning perspective or viewpoint.

at first glance

Focuses on a superficial or quick initial observation.

upon initial observation

Implies a more careful and deliberate initial examination.

the moment I saw it

Highlights the visual aspect and immediacy of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "my first impression" in a sentence?

You can use "my first impression" to introduce your initial thoughts or feelings about something. For example, "My first impression of the book was that it was well-written and engaging."

What are some alternatives to saying "my first impression"?

Alternatives include "my initial thought", "my immediate reaction", or "at first glance", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "my first impression was" or "my first impression is"?

Both can be correct, but "my first impression was" is generally used to describe a past experience or observation, while "my first impression is" can be used when describing a current, immediate impression.

How reliable is "my first impression"?

"My first impression" can be a starting point, but it's important to recognize that it may not always be accurate and can change with more information or experience. It should be considered a preliminary assessment rather than a definitive judgment.