the initial letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the initial letter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the first letter of a word, name, or phrase. For example, "The initial letter of my name is B," or "Please write the initial letter of your name on the form."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The initial letter is the initial letter of the first-figure mood to which the given mood is reducible.

Britannica

The initial letter of a genus name must be capitalized.

University of California, Berkeley

Perhaps use the initial letter of each word in a sentence to help you remember it.

The Guardian

On the cover, the head appears as an inset inside the initial letter of the divine name.

The New York Times - Arts

The initial letter was written "in the interest of justice" on behalf of a distressed individual, Culleton said.

The Guardian

Culleton said the initial letter was written "in the interest of justice" on behalf of a distressed individual.

The Guardian

Closer examination showed that the initial letter was very slightly askew - the telltale indicator of a fake.

The Guardian - Tech

The second order changes the initial letter to produce a rhyme (>namby-pamby, mumbo jumbo, higgledy-piggledy).

The New York Times - Magazine

When transcribing the old format ISMN, include the initial letter M, followed by the numbers without spaces and hyphens.

Yale University

Experts told Paul that homeowners should immediately deal with the initial letter from a lender saying that insurance is needed.

The New York Times

I probably set a pole vaulting record when I rocketed over to the computer after receiving the initial letter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing acronyms or initialisms, clearly state that you are referring to "the initial letter" of each word for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the initial letter" when you mean a debut or an introductory message. "Initial letter" refers to the first character within a word or phrase, not a communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the initial letter" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the first character in a sequence of characters, such as a word or a name. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the initial letter" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to the first letter of a word, name, or phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its prevalent use in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When considering alternatives, "the first letter" serves as a highly similar substitute. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the first character within a word or name, rather than an introductory message. With an expert rating of 4.5, it's clear that "the initial letter" is a reliable and well-understood term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first letter

Focuses specifically on the position of the letter as being the first, without emphasizing the starting aspect.

the starting letter

Highlights the role of the letter as the beginning of a word or name.

the opening letter

Emphasizes the action of beginning or opening with the specific letter.

the lead letter

Similar to 'first letter' but can also imply a guiding or directing role.

the beginning character

Uses "character" instead of "letter", widening the scope to include non-alphabetic symbols.

the foremost letter

Synonymous of 'first letter', it adds a nuance of preeminence or importance.

the head letter

Uses "head" to indicate the position at the beginning, implying a leadership or dominant role.

the primary letter

Emphasizes the letter's main or most important function.

the introductory letter

Refers to a letter that introduces a subject or person, not a character within a word.

the originating letter

Focuses on the letter as the point of origin or commencement.

FAQs

How can I use "the initial letter" in a sentence?

You can use "the initial letter" to refer to the first letter of a word, name, or phrase, like in "The initial letter of 'apple' is 'a'".

What's a synonym for "the initial letter"?

A synonym is "the first letter".

Is it correct to say "the initial letter" or "the initial character"?

Both are correct, but "the initial letter" is specifically for alphabetic characters, while "the initial character" is broader, including symbols or numbers.

When should I use "the initial letter" vs. "the introductory letter"?

"The initial letter" refers to the first character of a word. "The introductory letter" refers to a letter used to introduce someone or something.