on initial inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on initial inspection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a first look or preliminary assessment of something before a more detailed examination. Example: "On initial inspection, the report seemed to be well-organized and thorough."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

During the course of the year, 40 percent of the restaurants received an A grade on initial inspection, Ms. Craig said.

The New York Times

Authorities said they found a cache of explosives and other bomb-making material, including what on initial inspection is believed to be TAPT —  the explosive used in Islamic State attacks in Paris last year and Brussels this year. .

Los Angeles Times

Strains are grouped by PCR-ribotype and, on initial inspection, demonstrate that each PCR-ribotype exhibits a visually similar pattern of hybridisation.

BMC Genomics

On initial inspection, the use of images within the item response format again appeared to produce divergent effects; 14 items were more difficult when using a labelled image as opposed to textual options, while 10 items were easier.

BMC Medical Education

For example, a study of generic versions of ramipril tablets found that, on initial inspection, four of 17 samples (24%) did not meet the label specifications for drug content.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Since the network topology of the Alarm system is not tree-like, there is no single "correct" root that characterizes the entire network, and each of these seems on initial inspection to be a potentially reasonable selection, especially if directionality of edges is ignored.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In four putative founding lineages identified among Moroccan (H1e, H4a1a), Bulgarian (H25) and Turkish (H1p) Jews, the number of samples actually found to belong to one monophyletic clade was substantially lower than the suspected number, based solely on the initial inspection of their control region variation (Table S4).

Plosone

On an initial inspection of the Amazonian entry, the pitch is metropolitan, small time and aimed at Ocado territory.

The Guardian - Business

On his initial inspection of the Indus Valley sites of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, he organised a very brief excavation which revealed fortifications around both settlements.

Wikipedia

But neither Mr. Perricos nor Mr. Baute was ready to comment, based on the initial inspections, on the issue behind the months of American threats that led to the United Nations Security Council's action earlier this month in approving the tough new weapons-inspection mandate: whether Iraq still has banned weapons programs, or has abandoned them, as senior Iraqi officials have insisted.

The New York Times

On initial macroscopic inspection, remarkably large epicardial vessels with prominent side branches were observed (Figure 4).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on initial inspection", ensure it's followed by a clear statement of what was observed or assessed during that first look. This provides context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid making definitive conclusions based solely on "on initial inspection". Always emphasize that this is a preliminary assessment and further investigation may be required to form a complete understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on initial inspection" functions as an introductory prepositional phrase, modifying a subsequent clause by specifying when an observation or assessment was made. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound, typically setting the stage for further analysis or findings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on initial inspection" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a preliminary assessment or observation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in both scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure it's followed by a clear and concise statement of what was observed. Remember that findings "on initial inspection" may require further investigation. Alternatives like "at first glance" or "upon first observation" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

This alternative focuses on the visual aspect of the initial assessment and implies a quick, immediate impression.

upon first observation

This phrase emphasizes the act of observing something for the first time, highlighting the immediate impression gained.

in the preliminary assessment

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the assessment aspect of the initial review.

in the initial review

This phrase refers to the first stage of a process involving evaluation.

at the outset

This phrase suggests something apparent from the beginning.

on the face of it

This idiom indicates something seems to be the case based on initial appearances, but further investigation might reveal a different reality.

initially

This is a single-word adverb that simply means "at the beginning" or "at first".

from a cursory examination

This highlights a brief and not overly detailed examination.

at the start

This option is a more basic and less formal way of indicating the beginning of an evaluation.

to begin with

This alternative signals the starting point of an assessment or process.

FAQs

What does "on initial inspection" mean?

The phrase "on initial inspection" means upon a first or preliminary examination. It suggests a quick assessment before further investigation.

How can I use "on initial inspection" in a sentence?

You can use "on initial inspection" to describe a first impression or preliminary assessment. For example, "On initial inspection, the building appeared structurally sound."

What are some alternatives to "on initial inspection"?

Some alternatives to "on initial inspection" include "at first glance", "upon first observation", or "in the preliminary assessment".

When is it appropriate to use "on initial inspection" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "on initial inspection" when describing a preliminary assessment or observation that may be subject to change or require further investigation. It's often used in technical reports, news articles, and scientific papers.