my initial thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

'my initial thoughts' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to indicate the initial ideas or reactions that something has sparked. For example: "My initial thoughts upon learning of the proposal were that it was a good idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

I got to spend a few fleeting minutes with the device this afternoon, and though we plan to have a full review in the coming days, I thought I'd share my initial thoughts.

TechCrunch

Katie Goode, developer, Triangular Pixels My initial thoughts were: "Wow, I need one in my life".

The Guardian - Tech

I walked on with Will, who commented on my comments on progress, which prompted me to try to refine my initial thoughts.

The New York Times - Arts

There came a point where it was fight, flight or freeze, so my initial thoughts were, I don't want to ride next year, I need a year off.

The Guardian - Sport

Finding Your Roots is a show where you voluntarily provide a great deal of information about your family, making you quite vulnerable … I regret my initial thoughts that the issue of slavery not be included in the story".

The Guardian

My initial thoughts on the concept they presented to me was how simple it was – on a weekend in September every professional footballer in the UK would receive rainbow coloured football laces through their club.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"When I saw him pull up," Girardi added, "my initial thought was he's out for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"I saw you skulking around and thought, 'Who is this chap?' My initial thought was aggression," he told me.

Vice

My initial thought was, "how lame".

Independent

"My initial thought was: 'It's over.

The New York Times - Science

Well, that was my initial thought.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "my initial thoughts", clearly indicate that these are preliminary and subject to change, especially in formal reports or analyses.

Common error

Avoid presenting "my initial thoughts" as definitive conclusions. Instead, frame them as starting points for further exploration or analysis to avoid misrepresenting your level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial thoughts" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a subjective perspective or preliminary opinion. It's commonly used to preface a discussion or presentation of one's early understanding or reaction to a subject, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my initial thoughts" is a common and acceptable way to introduce preliminary opinions or reactions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it is important to convey that the thoughts are subject to change as more information becomes available. Consider alternatives such as "my first impressions" or "my preliminary assessment" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my immediate thoughts

Stresses the quickness and spontaneity of the ideas.

my first impressions

Emphasizes the immediate feelings or opinions formed upon encountering something.

my initial perspective

Emphasizes a particular viewpoint or angle of consideration.

my initial reactions

Focuses on the immediate emotional or behavioral responses to something.

my preliminary assessment

Highlights an early evaluation or judgment, often in a more formal context.

my early opinions

Refers to viewpoints formed at an early stage.

my initial take

Highlights a personal perspective or interpretation.

my starting point

Indicates the beginning of a thought process or investigation.

my first blush

Implies a superficial or immediate assessment.

my opening gambit

Suggests the first move in a discussion or strategy.

FAQs

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

You can use "my initial thoughts" to introduce your early reactions or ideas about something. For example, "My initial thoughts on the proposal were positive, but I need to review the details carefully".

What's a more formal way to express "my initial thoughts"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "my preliminary assessment" or "my initial assessment", which convey a similar meaning but sound more professional.

What can I say instead of "my initial thoughts" to sound more casual?

In a casual setting, you could say "my first impressions" or "my immediate thoughts" to convey your initial reactions in a less formal way.

When is it appropriate to use "my initial thoughts" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "my initial thoughts" when you want to share your early perspectives or reactions to a topic, acknowledging that these views may evolve as you gather more information or experience.