my first thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first thought" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was the first thing that came to mind when you were considering a certain topic. For example, "My first thought when I heard about the new movie was that it would be a blockbuster hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My first thought was, Where?

The New Yorker

That was my first thought.

The New York Times

My first thought was of Lena.

The New York Times

"That was my first thought," Condo confirmed.

The New Yorker

My first thought: "I totally understand.

The New York Times

"Strange highlight" was my first thought.

The New York Times - Sports

"My first thought is of my grandmother".

The New York Times

My first thought was: why?

The Guardian

My first thought was: 'No.

The New York Times

My first thought was: Lohengrin".

The New York Times - Books

"My first thought was shock and disgust.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "my first thought" with a clear and concise explanation of what that thought was and why you had it. This provides context and prevents misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid presenting "my first thought" as your definitive stance without further analysis or reflection. It's crucial to demonstrate how your initial thought evolved or was refined through further consideration to show critical thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first thought" functions as a discourse marker, introducing a personal perspective or initial reaction to a situation, statement, or observation. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my first thought" serves as a valuable tool for introducing initial reactions or opinions in both spoken and written communication. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While highly versatile, remember to use it to set the stage for further explanation, rather than presenting it as a final conclusion. When necessary, consider more formal alternatives like "initially I considered" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my immediate thought

Highlights the speed and spontaneity of the thought process.

the first thing I thought of

A more informal way of expressing the same idea.

what immediately came to mind

Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the thought's appearance.

what crossed my mind initially

Emphasizes the fleeting and transient nature of the initial thought.

my initial reaction

Focuses on the immediate emotional or instinctive response rather than a reasoned thought.

my first reaction

Similar to "my initial reaction", but slightly broader in scope, potentially including actions.

my immediate response

Covers both thoughts and actions in response to a stimulus.

my first impression

Relates to the initial perception or feeling about someone or something.

the first thing that struck me

Focuses on a particularly noticeable or impactful aspect.

my gut reaction

Implies a more instinctive and emotional response.

FAQs

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

You can use "my first thought" to introduce your initial reaction or idea to something. For example, "My first thought was that it was a joke, but then I realized it was serious."

What are some alternatives to using "my first thought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "my initial reaction", "what came to mind", or "my immediate thought", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "my first thought" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives that sound more professional, such as "initially I considered" or "my initial assessment".

What's the difference between "my first thought" and "my second thought"?

"My first thought" refers to the immediate, initial reaction, while "my second thought" indicates a subsequent idea or consideration after further reflection. Often, the second thought provides additional context or a revised perspective.