my initial inclination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my initial inclination" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your first thoughts or feelings about a situation or decision before considering other options. Example: "My initial inclination was to accept the job offer, but I decided to weigh the pros and cons first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

My initial inclination would be to say no".

The Guardian

My initial inclination was to accept responsibility, apologize and move on quickly.

The New York Times

"Upon reflection I have withdrawn my lawsuit against Marcus Camby and am choosing to follow my initial inclination of 'turning the other cheek' toward comments that he made toward me in the New York newspapers last week".

The New York Times - Sports

And I admit it, my initial inclination is to go off on one of my old diatribes about IC -- about its mischaracterizations and oversimplifications, its self-aggrandizing about how it can and did end a war, etc.

Huffington Post

Below, Kazuo Ishiguro discusses the central themes of his latest novel, as well as his opinions on genre, Marcel Proust and the way memory is illustrated in movies: On writing a novel that -- on its surface, at least -- differs from his earlier works: My initial inclination was to carry on doing these kind of monologues, which my previous books have been.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The justices' initial inclination was to expect that some freedoms would have to be sacrificed in the name of security.

The New York Times

Her initial inclination was to support it, as "something between innocuous and mildly helpful," she told Ms. Felsenthal.

The New York Times

His initial inclination toward tolerance of Christianity and Judaism was met by resistance on the part of the nobility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And, with some notable exceptions, much of the media showed little initial inclination to shine a bright light on a particularly glaring abuse of power.

The Guardian

WHEN the news first hit on the morning of Sept. 11, our initial inclination was to disbelieve it, such was the unfathomable magnitude of the horror.

The New York Times

But it is clear that some of the president's advisers fear that following Mr. Rove's initial inclination to satisfy Catholics and the right could further alienate moderates and independents who have already been disaffected from the administration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my initial inclination" to clearly express your first, often instinctive, response to a situation before further consideration. This adds transparency to your thought process.

Common error

While acceptable, "my initial inclination" can sound somewhat informal in highly professional or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "my preliminary assessment" or "my initial assessment" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial inclination" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the subject or object of a sentence, expressing a person's preliminary or first tendency, feeling, or thought about something. As Ludwig AI displays, this often introduces a starting point for decision-making or opinion formation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my initial inclination" is a useful way to express your first thoughts or feelings about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and sees usage across varied contexts, most commonly in news and media, and scientific domains. While "uncommon" in frequency, the phrase is readily understood and provides transparency in expressing a preliminary stance. Consider replacing it with alternatives such as "my first instinct" or "my initial reaction" for different nuances. Use with care in formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "my preliminary assessment" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first impulse

Replaces 'inclination' with 'impulse', indicating a sudden urge or instinct.

my first instinct

Uses 'instinct' instead of 'inclination', suggesting a natural or inherent drive.

my initial reaction

Substitutes 'inclination' with 'reaction', focusing on the immediate response to something.

my first thought

Replaces 'inclination' with 'thought', emphasizing the initial cognitive response.

my preliminary notion

Employs 'notion' for 'inclination', indicating a tentative or early idea.

my original leaning

Uses 'leaning' instead of 'inclination', suggesting a tendency or preference.

my starting point

Focuses on the beginning of a thought process or decision-making.

my tentative plan

Indicates a provisional or uncertain plan.

my working hypothesis

Replaces the whole phrase with a more academic term. The initial assumption that will be tested.

my spontaneous idea

Indicates an idea that arises from a sudden impulse or tendency.

FAQs

What does "my initial inclination" mean?

The phrase "my initial inclination" refers to your first thought, feeling, or tendency regarding a situation, before considering other possibilities or information.

How can I use "my initial inclination" in a sentence?

You can use "my initial inclination" to introduce your first reaction or idea. For example: "My initial inclination was to disagree, but after hearing the full explanation, I changed my mind."

What can I say instead of "my initial inclination"?

You can use alternatives like "my first instinct", "my initial reaction", or "my first thought" depending on the context.

Is "my initial inclination" formal or informal?

"My initial inclination" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using phrases like "my preliminary assessment" or "my initial assessment".