take a look first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a look first" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly-used phrase in written English.
For example, you might write: "Before making an investment decision, I suggest taking a look first at the company's track record."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That audit could be completed within the month, but the state of Florida and the Treasury Department get to take a look first, so a public release is several months away.

The Guardian - Money

So let's take a look first at what not to do, and how you can build a stronger presence online.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We take a look at first tweets from 15 celebrities and need your help ranking them.

Huffington Post

Below, we take a look at the first one.

The New York Times

We take a look at his first seven days.

The Guardian

Let us take a look at the first horizontal capital circulation period.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Let's take a look at this first paragraph.

TechCrunch

Take a look at the first rehearsals for the ballet version of Joanne Harris's famous novel.

BBC

Take a look at the first Istanbul hotels on Oyster!

Huffington Post

Let's take a look at... First, protein is made up of amino acids.

Huffington Post

Take a look at the first sentence of the clue.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a look first" to suggest a preliminary examination before further action. It's ideal for providing a sense of priority.

Common error

While acceptable, "take a look first" may sound too casual in very formal documents. Consider using more formal alternatives like "examine beforehand" or "review initially" in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a look first" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest a preliminary examination or review before proceeding with other actions. It indicates a priority in assessing something before making decisions or taking further steps. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take a look first" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to advise or suggest a preliminary examination. Ludwig AI validates its frequent use across diverse sources, although a more formal equivalent might be preferable in certain professional settings. Its primary function is to highlight the priority of an initial review, ensuring clarity and informed decision-making. Keep in mind that while its common usage deems it acceptable, context dictates whether a more formal term would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review initially

Uses "review" to mean look over, and "initially" instead of "first", changing the tone slightly.

examine beforehand

Replaces "take a look" with a more formal term, and "first" with "beforehand", emphasizing the timing of the examination.

consider at the start

Uses "consider" instead of a physical look and "at the start" for timing.

check out in advance

"Check out" is less formal than "take a look", and "in advance" replaces "first", indicating a prior review.

assess before anything else

Replaces "take a look" with "assess" and emphasizes priority with "before anything else".

inspect at the outset

More formal; "inspect" replaces "look", and "at the outset" means at the beginning.

scrutinize primarily

"Scrutinize" implies a more detailed examination than "look", and "primarily" emphasizes the importance of doing it first.

investigate to begin with

"Investigate" suggests a more thorough examination, and "to begin with" highlights the initial action.

glance over at the beginning

"Glance over" suggests a quick look, and "at the beginning" specifies timing.

scan through as a priority

"Scan through" implies a quick overview, and "as a priority" stresses importance.

FAQs

What does "take a look first" mean?

It means to examine something before doing anything else, prioritizing the inspection or review process.

What can I say instead of "take a look first"?

You can use alternatives like "examine beforehand", "review initially", or "check out in advance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take a look firstly"?

While understandable, "take a look firstly" is less common and can sound awkward. "Take a look first" is the more idiomatic and preferred phrasing.

How to use "take a look first" in a sentence?

You can use it to suggest a preliminary review, for example: "Before making a decision, "take a look first" at the data".