reluctant at first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reluctant at first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who initially hesitates or is unwilling to do something but may change their mind later. Example: "She was reluctant at first to join the team, but eventually, she embraced the opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were reluctant at first.

The New York Times

She was reluctant at first.

The New York Times

I was reluctant at first.

The Washington Post

Students were reluctant at first, and some suggested that such an answer was impossible to write.

University of California, Berkeley

"We were quite reluctant at first, we've always only wanted one really great shop," says Rachel.

Independent

"I was quite reluctant at first," she says of Aray's venture into Google Glass.

The New Yorker

Her son was reluctant at first to give up his pastime.

The New York Times - Tech

They were reluctant at first, and the process was initially very challenging.

Harvard Business Review

The Assembly, reluctant at first, has gone a long way toward giving him that control.

The New York Times

"She was reluctant at first, but later on it got hot and heavy".

The New York Times

Syd Fadner, 45, a fencing coach, was also reluctant at first to attend a trade school.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reluctant at first" to introduce a character's initial hesitation, creating tension and paving the way for a potential change of heart or action.

Common error

Avoid using "reluctant at first" if the subject remains unwilling throughout the entire situation. This phrase implies a change from initial reluctance to eventual acceptance or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reluctant at first" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an adverbial phrase, modifying a subject to describe their initial state of hesitation or unwillingness. Ludwig shows its frequent use in describing people's or entities' initial reactions to situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

HuffPost

4%

Science & Research

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reluctant at first" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an initial hesitation or unwillingness. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's often used in News & Media and Academic contexts. Remembering that this phrase implies a subsequent change in attitude or action is essential to avoid misusing it. Consider alternatives such as "hesitant initially" or "initially unwilling" to fine-tune your expression. According to Ludwig AI, "reluctant at first" is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitant initially

Focuses on the initial pause or delay due to uncertainty.

initially unwilling

Emphasizes the original lack of desire to do something.

at first disinclined

Highlights a lack of motivation or enthusiasm at the beginning.

unenthusiastic to begin with

Shows a lack of excitement or interest from the start.

averse at the start

Indicates an initial feeling of opposition or dislike.

initially resistant

Highlights an opposition to change or acceptance at the start.

apprehensive at the outset

Focuses on feeling anxious or fearful at the beginning.

guarded from the beginning

Implies caution and a lack of openness initially.

dubious to start

Expresses an initial feeling of doubt or skepticism.

reticent from the get-go

Highlights an initial unwillingness to speak freely or openly.

FAQs

How can I use "reluctant at first" in a sentence?

You can use "reluctant at first" to describe someone's initial hesitation or unwillingness before they eventually agree to something or change their mind. For example, "She was "reluctant at first" to try sushi, but she ended up loving it."

What are some alternatives to "reluctant at first"?

Alternatives include "hesitant initially", "initially unwilling", or "at first disinclined". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "reluctant at first"?

Yes, "reluctant at first" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It accurately describes an initial state of reluctance.

What's the difference between ""reluctant at first"" and "initially reluctant"?

While both phrases are similar, ""reluctant at first"" might slightly emphasize the temporal aspect of the reluctance being overcome, whereas "initially reluctant" simply states the starting position.