my initial impression was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my initial impression was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your first thoughts or feelings about a situation, person, or piece of information. Example: "After meeting the new team member, my initial impression was that they would fit in well with our group."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"My initial impression was that here was an ambitious young girl with a pretty good game, two big groundstrokes and a good service action.

The Guardian - Sport

The emphasis was firmly on fitness though: "My initial impression was that it's a new wearable fitness device to rival a Nike Fuelband or Fitbit Flex — a smartphone companion rather than a smartphone alternative," wrote journalist Christina Farr.

The Guardian - Tech

My initial impression was of a clean and modern city, which is the case in much of downtown, but the picture is patchy: Even the more prosperous areas are marred by failed commercial developments, empty littered lots and graffiti.

The New York Times - Travel

My initial impression was that this was a man who was completely careless about his appearance, but I eventually concluded that the scrupulous inattention to wardrobe and grooming was of a piece with his refusal to fly on airplanes (visiting America from his home in Berlin, he travels by ship) or to carry a cellphone.

The New York Times - Magazine

My initial impression was that the phone itself felt light and thin, but also extremely cheap and plasticky (I couldn't give Xbox Live, the Internet Explorer and other apps a spin because Wi-Fi and 3G were turned off – in the few minutes I played with it, the UI felt great).

TechCrunch

My initial impression was that the show seemed to be as much about introspection as it was self-promotion.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But my initial impression is that it's a clever out-of-the-box design, which I like to credit".

The New Yorker

A definitive answer will emerge only with time, but my initial impression is that the London decisions may be a tentative first step.

The New York Times

"My initial impression is the enemy had a hand in this, and there's also a fair chance that our strike had some role in it".

The New Yorker

"My initial impression is that it must be authentic; the provenance and history, the inventory number on the reverse, the brushwork, the colours – some have faded – the reference in a letter.

Independent

My initial impression is that Benedict Cumberbatch is a good, personable Hamlet with a strong line in self-deflating irony, but that he is trapped inside an intellectual ragbag of a production by Lyndsey Turner that is full of half-baked ideas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my initial impression was" to clearly communicate your first thoughts or feelings about something, providing context for subsequent opinions or actions. This can be especially useful in reviews, reports, or personal narratives.

Common error

Avoid presenting "my initial impression was" as a definitive judgment. Instead, use it as a starting point, clarifying that your perspective may have evolved with more information or experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial impression was" functions as a declarative statement introducing a subjective viewpoint or early assessment. As Ludwig AI shows, it's typically used to set the stage for further explanation or analysis, indicating a perspective that might evolve.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my initial impression was" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce one's first thoughts or feelings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and shows that is commonly found in news and media, but also occasionally in scientific and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid presenting initial impressions as final judgments and to clarify that your perspective may have evolved. Alternatives like "initially, I thought" or "at first glance, I perceived" can offer subtle variations in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first reaction was

Highlights the immediate emotional or behavioral response.

my immediate thought was

Focuses on the instantaneous nature of the thought.

initially, I thought

Focuses on the thought process at the beginning, simplifying the expression.

the first thing that struck me was

Emphasizes the impact or surprise of the initial observation.

my first take was

Uses a more informal expression for initial understanding.

my original view was

Highlights how the opinion was at the beginning, which can imply that it changed afterwards.

I initially gathered

Highlights the process of collecting information at the beginning.

at first glance, I perceived

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the initial assessment, adding a layer of observation.

my opening assessment was

Formalizes the expression, suitable for professional settings.

I preliminarily concluded

Indicates a tentative conclusion based on initial information.

FAQs

What's a simple way to rephrase "my initial impression was"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "I initially thought" or "At first, I believed" to convey the same meaning.

Is it okay to use "my initial impression was" in formal writing?

Yes, "my initial impression was" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider using alternatives like "my preliminary assessment was" for an even more professional tone.

How does "my initial impression was" differ from "my current impression is"?

"My initial impression was" refers to your first thoughts, while "my current impression is" reflects your present understanding, possibly after further consideration or new information.

What can I say instead of "my initial impression was" when describing a visual observation?

When describing a visual observation, you can use alternatives like "at first glance" or "initially, I perceived" to emphasize the visual aspect of your initial assessment.