on first look

USAGE SUMMARY

"on first look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the initial impression of something. For example, "On first look, the house appeared small and dark, but once inside, I was surprised by how spacious it actually was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The original Sin City film in 2005 offered a vivid anthology of stories from Miller's hard-boiled crime series about the fictional, rain-drenched dystopia Basin City, and this one, on first look, appeared just as visceral.

Independent

Education appears on first look to be one of the few winners: the administration requests an additional $1 billion for Title I, the financing stream aimed at impoverished children.

The New York Times

His creations at times had the same effect that Jackson's moonwalk might have on first look.

Independent

Further along are Richard Silberman's photographs that, on first look, you'd swear were drawings.

The New York Times

On first look you will think, "Preeya Kalidas is delightful, but she's no Gaga".

The Guardian - Music

On first look, 2016 was another groundbreaking year for Australian women in sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We Heart It president Dave Williams swung by TechCrunch's San Francisco headquarters to give us a hands-on first look at the app, which has been overhauled from the ground up for the new design.

TechCrunch

We could tell you about it, but of course you want to see it in action... Please watch our hands-on first look of the NERF Accustrike Blasters -.

Huffington Post

On first looking into Chapman's Homer... of course!

The Guardian - Books

A sort of On first looking into Chapman's Homer kind of experience.

The Guardian - Books

Well, on first looking into Myles's Keats and Chapman, we're struck by their fantastic, almost Gothic, structure.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on first look" to introduce an initial observation or assessment that might change after further examination. This sets the stage for a deeper analysis or evolving understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "on first look" when presenting a final conclusion. This phrase is best suited for initial impressions that may be subject to change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on first look" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or basis of an initial assessment. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on first look" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce an initial impression or assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "at first glance" exist, "on first look" provides a slightly more considered tone. Remember to use this phrase when setting the stage for a deeper analysis or evolving understanding, rather than presenting a final judgement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Emphasizes a very quick, initial impression.

initially

Focuses on the beginning of an evaluation or observation.

upon initial inspection

More formal, often used when describing a review or examination.

at first sight

Similar to 'at first glance' but often used in a more emotional or aesthetic context.

from the outset

Highlights the very beginning of a process or situation.

on the surface

Suggests a superficial assessment, implying that deeper analysis may reveal something different.

to begin with

Indicates the starting point of a discussion or analysis.

prima facie

A legal term meaning 'based on the first impression', more formal and technical.

in the beginning

A broader term referring to an early stage or phase.

at the start

Similar to 'in the beginning' but can also refer to the physical starting point of something.

FAQs

How can I use "on first look" in a sentence?

You can use "on first look" to introduce an initial impression or assessment. For example, "On first look, the problem seemed simple, but it quickly became more complex".

What is a good alternative to "on first look"?

Alternatives to "on first look" include "at first glance", "initially", or "upon initial inspection", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is "on first look" formal or informal?

"On first look" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, phrases like "upon initial inspection" are more formal.

What's the difference between "on first look" and "at first glance"?

While both phrases indicate an initial impression, "at first glance" suggests a quicker, more superficial assessment, whereas "on first look" can imply a slightly more considered, though still preliminary, evaluation.