our first impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our first impression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing initial thoughts or feelings about a person, situation, or experience. Example: "After meeting the team, our first impression was that they were very welcoming and professional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Our first impression is it's a fairly aggressive incentive statement they're making," Mr. Dilts added.

The New York Times

We arrive in midafternoon, and our first impression is, frankly, not good.

The New York Times - Travel

Likely, our first impression would have been of a child speaking.

The New Yorker

"Our first impression, from the work so far, is that the effect will be different, but no less beautiful".

Independent

It's as though our brains close ranks around our first impression, then refuse to consider anything else.

The New York Times

The narrator, Frank, is a doctor, but, to judge from our first impression, not a good one.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Our first impressions of each other were not good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Certainly, our first impressions of the resort gave no indication of what we were in for.

The New York Times - Travel

This week we're feeling a little better about our first impressions.

The New York Times

Previous work by neuroscientists has shown we form our first impressions well within 30 seconds of meeting people.

The Guardian

"With The Bones of You I really wanted to look at the difference between our first impressions of people and what actually goes on.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "our first impression", be specific about what triggered that impression. Providing details helps the reader understand the basis of your judgment and adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting "our first impression" as a definitive or absolute truth. Acknowledge that initial impressions can be subjective and may change with further information or experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our first impression" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an initial perception or judgment formed upon encountering something or someone for the first time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our first impression" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express an initial thought, feeling, or assessment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use. It's important to provide specific details when sharing "our first impression" and avoid presenting it as an absolute truth. Related phrases like "our initial assessment" or "our immediate reaction" can be used to fine-tune the meaning depending on the context. This phrase is frequently found in news media, scientific articles, and general web content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our initial assessment

Replaces 'impression' with 'assessment', emphasizing the evaluation aspect.

our first assessment

Combines both initial and assessment, keeps the structure but replace words.

our preliminary judgment

Substitutes 'first' with 'preliminary' and 'impression' with 'judgment', highlighting the tentative nature of the evaluation.

our opening perception

Uses 'opening' instead of 'first' and 'perception' for 'impression', focusing on the way something is initially understood.

our immediate reaction

Shifts the focus to the emotional response rather than a reasoned judgment.

our initial reaction

Emphasis the reaction instead of the judgment.

what we initially thought

Rephrases the phrase as a statement of initial thought, changing the structure.

our original view

Replaces 'impression' with 'view', suggesting a mental perspective.

our early take

Uses a more informal term 'take' to mean perspective or interpretation.

our initial feeling

Focuses on the emotional aspect of the first impression.

FAQs

How can I use "our first impression" in a sentence?

You can use "our first impression" to describe an initial thought, feeling, or assessment. For example, "Our first impression of the new restaurant was very positive because of the ambiance and friendly staff."

What's a more formal way to say "our first impression"?

A more formal alternative to "our first impression" is "our initial assessment". This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic contexts where a formal tone is preferred.

Which is correct, "our first impression was" or "our first impression were"?

"Our first impression was" is the correct usage, as "first impression" is singular. Use "was" to maintain subject-verb agreement.

What can I say instead of "our first impression" to emphasize a quick judgment?

To emphasize the immediacy of a judgment, you could use "our immediate reaction". This highlights that the judgment was formed quickly and perhaps instinctively.