my initial impression was that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my initial impression was that" 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: "My initial impression was that the presentation was well-organized and engaging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 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 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

Walking in, my initial impression was that it seemed like the lovechild of a miserable one-night stand between EasyJet (everything was orange) and Poundland (everything was cheap).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 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 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

My initial impression is that Intro is brilliant.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider whether a more concise phrase like "initially, I thought..." would be more effective without sacrificing clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overusing "my initial impression was that" in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I first thought" or "At first, I figured" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial impression was that" functions as an introductory clause to express a subjective viewpoint formed at the beginning of an experience or observation. As Ludwig AI points out, it sets the stage for describing a first thought or feeling about something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my initial impression was that" serves as an introductory element to convey a first thought or feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in expressing a viewpoint that may have evolved. While appropriate for neutral contexts like news and general discourse, consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. This phrase is effective for setting the stage and introducing a personal assessment, offering a clear signal of your early perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first thought was that

Replaces "impression" with "thought" emphasizing a cognitive reaction.

initially, I thought that

Shifts the phrase to an adverbial opener followed by a direct statement of thought.

my first reaction was that

Substitutes "impression" with "reaction" indicating a more immediate or emotional response.

at first, I believed that

Emphasizes a belief held at the beginning which may have changed later.

my original assessment was that

Uses "assessment" instead of "impression", implying a more analytical initial judgment.

the initial feeling was that

Replaces personal agency ("my") with a general sense of feeling.

I initially perceived it as

Changes the structure to focus on perception, using "perceived" instead of "impression".

upon first seeing it, I thought

Introduces the phrase with a visual cue, focusing on the moment of first observation.

my immediate take was that

Implies a quick and straightforward understanding or opinion.

to begin with, I assumed that

Highlights the assumption made at the beginning, which might not be true anymore.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "my initial impression was that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "initially, I assessed that" or "my original assessment led me to believe that". These options replace personal pronouns with more objective language and complex sentence structures, suitable for academic or professional writing.

What are some less formal alternatives to "my initial impression was that"?

In casual conversation, you could say "I first thought", "at first, I believed", or "my first take was that". These options are shorter and more conversational.

Is it always necessary to use "was that" after "my initial impression"?

Yes, the "was that" part is crucial for completing the grammatical structure of the sentence. Without it, the sentence will be incomplete and grammatically incorrect. For example, "My initial impression the presentation was good" is incorrect.

How does "my initial impression was that" differ from "my final impression is that"?

The phrase "my initial impression was that" indicates a first thought or feeling, while "my final impression is that" reflects a conclusion reached after further consideration. Use "my initial impression was that" to introduce a perspective that may have changed over time, contrasting it with your current view.