upon first examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing an initial assessment or observation of something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "Upon first examination, the data appears to support the hypothesis, but further analysis is required."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Upon first examination, this is completely irrational.

Huffington Post

Upon first examination of the unadjusted data, we found no difference in mean 1,5AG levels between subjects with HNF1A-MODY and type 2 diabetes (P > 0.05).

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Upon the first examination, 19.0 percent were diagnosed with respiratory infections, 1.5 percent with urinary and 1.2 percent with gastrointestinal infections.

Unicef

The exact time of the patient's arrival was recorded in his/her medical records upon their arrival, as was the first examination by the physician.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The rule currently applied in ambulance care is that ambulance crews should immediately determine patients' T-RTS at first examination at the scene of the accident, as well as upon arrival at the hospital's A&E department.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Four went out at their first examination.

The Guardian - Sport

Our study provides a first examination," write the researchers.

TechCrunch

a) A Monte Carlo analysis of the effects upon reliability and SEM of an examination being taken by all candidates, and then only those passing the first examination.

BMC Medical Education

Patient acceptance was assessed with a 5-item questionnaire upon completion of the second examination (Table S1, additional file 1 ).

BMC Gastroenterology

The results of a second examination is expected within days.

The Guardian

The second examination was one month after the initial examination.

Clinical interventions in aging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first examination" to introduce an observation or assessment that may be subject to change or further scrutiny. It sets the stage for a more in-depth analysis.

Common error

While "upon first examination" is correct, avoid using it in informal contexts. Simpler phrases like "at first glance" or "initially" may be more appropriate for casual conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first examination" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the timing or basis of an observation. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon first examination" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an initial assessment or observation. As Ludwig points out, it's best suited for formal or scientific contexts and signals that further investigation may be necessary. While other options exist, such as "at first glance" or "initially", this phrase offers a specific tone of academic or professional assessment. Though perfectly correct and usable, ensure its formality aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Replaces "upon" with "at" and uses the more common idiom "first glance".

at first blush

An idiomatic expression suggesting an immediate, surface-level impression.

on the face of it

Indicates an apparent or superficial assessment.

on initial inspection

Substitutes "examination" with "inspection" and "first" with "initial", implying a preliminary assessment.

on preliminary assessment

Highlights the tentative nature of the assessment.

initially

A concise adverb that conveys the idea of a first impression or assessment.

as a starting point

Suggests using the initial examination as a basis for further investigation.

at the outset

Emphasizes the beginning or start of an evaluation.

from the start

Focuses on the inception of an observation or analysis.

in the beginning

A more general phrase indicating the initial stage of observation.

FAQs

What does "upon first examination" mean?

The phrase "upon first examination" means "at the beginning of an investigation" or "based on an initial assessment". It suggests a preliminary observation that may be subject to change after further analysis.

What are some alternatives to "upon first examination"?

Alternatives include "at first glance", "initially", or "on initial review". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "upon first examination" or "on first examination"?

"Upon first examination" and "on first examination" are both grammatically acceptable, but "upon" is generally considered more formal. "On" is more common in contemporary usage.

How can I use "upon first examination" in a sentence?

Example: "Upon first examination, the data appears to support the hypothesis; however, further testing is needed to confirm these findings."