originally

USAGE SUMMARY

'originally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happened, existed, or was thought of at the beginning or earliest stage. For example: "Originally, the plan was to open the store in April."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shadow chancellor accused Osborne of resorting to smoke and mirrors to disguise the fact that he will be borrowing £198bn more than originally planned and will not achieve his original goal of a balanced structural current budget until 2018-19.

The Guardian

More than 9,000 women were involved originally, and were divided into three groups.

The Economist

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

Also, the supporters of the reforms have appropriated "Obamacare" – originally intended as a derisive label by its opponents – and are now using it with enthusiasm.

The Guardian

About The Scott Trust Ltd The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

The ultimate owner of the Guardian is The Scott Trust, which was originally created as a trust in 1936 to safeguard the title's journalistic freedom.

The Guardian

When Labour lost in 2010, Balls was originally overlooked by Miliband as shadow chancellor and only took on the role to which he was well suited after the departure of Alan Johnson.

The Guardian

It originally stated in the introduction that the first lagoon power project had the potential to provide 8% of the UK's energy.

The Guardian

The news that she was in hospital originally came from the Twitter account of a BBC Urdu reporter Ahmen Khawaja.

The Guardian

The musical was originally planned to open in California last month, but was pulled by the Weinstein brothers Bob and Harvey, who jointly set up the company, after they decided it wasn't ready.

The Guardian

The Observer has learned that a major report by Ofsted looking at the level of sporting activity in schools before and after the coalition came to office in 2010, which was originally due for publication last August, has been put back to the end of February at the earliest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "originally" to clearly indicate how something has changed over time or to emphasize the contrast between its initial state and its current state.

Common error

Avoid using "originally" when you mean "genuinely" or "authentically". "Originally" refers to a starting point, while "genuinely" implies authenticity or sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "originally" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating the initial state, manner, or time of something. Ludwig AI confirms its role in setting a temporal context for the described action or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "originally" is a versatile adverb used to denote the initial state or time of something. It's grammatically correct and very common, primarily appearing in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its function as a modifier and its purpose in providing background information and highlighting changes over time. When using "originally", ensure you're referring to a starting point and not confusing it with words like "genuinely". Alternatives include "initially" and "formerly", depending on the context. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of "originally", aiding in its effective and accurate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initially

Indicates the very first stage or point in a process or situation; often interchangeable with "originally".

At first

Highlights the condition or state at the beginning of something, similar to "originally" but with a slightly more informal tone.

In the beginning

Emphasizes the starting point or the early phase of an event or period, akin to "originally" but more descriptive.

To begin with

Suggests a starting point or initial consideration, comparable to "originally" when introducing a sequence or explanation.

Formerly

Indicates a previous state or condition, much like "originally" but specifically implying a change.

Previously

Refers to a time before the present; synonymous with "originally" when denoting an earlier state.

At the start

Highlights the initial phase or commencement of an event or project, similar to "originally" in specifying a beginning.

Primarily

Denotes the main or fundamental aspect at the outset, somewhat related to "originally" when describing the initial focus.

Fundamentally

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature of something from the beginning, loosely similar to "originally" when discussing core aspects.

By birth

Indicates that someone or something is of a certain origin. This is subtly connected to "originally" when referring to ancestry or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "originally" in a sentence?

You can use "originally" to describe the initial state or form of something. For example, "The building was "originally" a school, but it was converted into apartments".

What words are similar in meaning to "originally"?

Synonyms for "originally" include "initially", "at first", and "formerly". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "originally" and "genuinely"?

"Originally" refers to the initial state or time, while "genuinely" means authentically or sincerely. They are not interchangeable; use "originally" to discuss origins and "genuinely" to express authenticity.

Is it correct to say "originally from"?

Yes, it's common to use "originally from" to indicate someone's place of origin or where they were born. For example, "She is "originally from" Nigeria".