our initial plan was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our initial plan was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a previous strategy or intention that was set at the beginning of a project or situation. Example: "Our initial plan was to launch the product by the end of the year, but we have since revised our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Our initial plan was to find a single partner for $200 million because we thought that would be the simplest way to go," Greenberg said on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Andre Torrez: Our initial plan was to make a place so good that enough people would pay for it and we could just keep doing it forever.

TechCrunch

Andre Torrez: Our initial plan was to make a place so good that enough people would pay for it and we could just keep doing it forever.

TechCrunch

"Our initial plan was to work with GMS and PCS operators, but we also have plans in mind next year to offer similar service through all others," says Cescom's Sarault.

Forbes

Our initial plan was to challenge 2 4 weeks after viral boost as we had done in our previous studies [17] [19].

Plosone

Although the concentration of MTX in our initial plan was expected to increase from 0.005 µM to 80 µM (4 times increase in each step), we found that the longer-incubation periods at high dose of MTX levels (>64 µM) resulted in decreased cMAb production level due to slowed growth rates.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Our initial plan is to focus on customers that we already have linked to our long-distance networks," said an Alestra spokesman, Jorge Escribano.

The New York Times

Our initial plan is to offer up to one million pounds of investment in 2012/13 to fund external creativity, and enable at least the same level of BBC staff time, resources and expertise to be made available for internal development.

BBC

Sometimes sticking to our initial plan is the right thing to do, but often times, we miss out on an opportunity because we close our mind to the possibilities.

Huffington Post

The initial plan was based on a careful analysis of the political and economic situation of our country.

The Guardian

("My initial plan was to use those people as bait").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our initial plan was" when clearly indicating a plan that has since changed or evolved, providing context for the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using "our initial plan was" without providing information about the subsequent changes or current status. This can leave the audience without the full picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our initial plan was" functions as an introductory phrase, setting the stage for discussing a past intention or strategy. It's often followed by an explanation of how and why that plan changed, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our initial plan was" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for introducing a superseded strategy or intention. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is typically followed by information explaining a change in direction. It sees common use in scientific and news contexts and is generally suitable for neutral to professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context by explaining the reasons behind any deviations from the initial plan. Alternatives like "initially we intended to" or "our original intention was" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially we intended to

Focuses on intention rather than a structured plan, implying a less formal approach.

our original intention was

Emphasizes the original aim or purpose, highlighting the intent behind the plan.

the original strategy involved

Highlights the strategic aspect, suggesting a more deliberate and calculated approach.

we had originally envisioned

Focuses on a mental image or concept of what was initially intended.

our preliminary idea was to

Emphasizes the early, formative stage of the idea before it became a fully developed plan.

at first, we were going to

A more informal way of expressing the initial intention or plan.

the first step we considered was

Highlights the initial action or measure considered as part of a larger plan.

initially, our aim was to

Focuses on the goal or objective that was initially set.

we started out by planning to

Emphasizes the beginning stages of the planning process.

the initial concept revolved around

Focuses on the central idea or theme that the initial plan was based on.

FAQs

How do I use "our initial plan was" in a sentence?

Use "our initial plan was" to introduce a strategy or intention that was set at the beginning of a project or situation, but which has since been modified or abandoned. For example: "Our initial plan was to launch the product by the end of the year, but we have since revised our timeline."

What can I say instead of "our initial plan was"?

You can use alternatives like "initially we intended to", "our original intention was", or "the original strategy involved" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "our initial plan was" in formal writing?

Yes, "our initial plan was" is suitable for formal writing as long as the context is clear and the writing is concise. Be sure to explain why the initial plan changed and what the current plan is.

What's the difference between "our initial plan was" and "our current plan is"?

"Our initial plan was" refers to a plan that existed at the beginning but has since been modified or abandoned, while "our current plan is" refers to the present strategy or intention. Using both phrases together can effectively communicate a shift in strategy.