upon first impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first impression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a first impression of someone or something. Example Sentence: Upon first impression, I knew that the new intern was dedicated and hard-working.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Upon first impression, Whipple does not look or sound like an intimidating competitor.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Leib acknowledged that he can seem brusque, adding, "I have a tendency to be that way upon first impression".

The New York Times - Style

Upon first impression, even with a county population of 230,000, Montgomery seems far too quaint and conservative to be home to two of the country's most influential, progressive nonprofits fighting racial bias.

The New York Times - Travel

What sticks out most to me upon first impression is the map's vibrant colors and seemingly smaller size.

Forbes

I grilled the founders yesterday at the NY Tech Day because, upon first impression, this sounds like one of the creepiest things ever.

TechCrunch

Upon first impression, this update rocks!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, based upon first impressions, it looks like Hillary Clinton is on track to become America's first female president.

Huffington Post

Both city and music scene are shabby but charming upon first impressions, lacking in funds but redeemed by atmosphere.

Vice

Tattooed professionals often manage their "business" and "tattooed" selves as separate identities by covering up their tattoos in professional settings, especially upon first impressions, by covering up their tattoos.

HuffPost

Without the barrier of a download + opening the app to try your product, you can prove value to the user immediately upon their first impression, as is with Google.

TechCrunch

Whatever doubts this court might entertain on this subject, were they now construing these laws upon the first impression, that doubt would be removed [by North Carolina case law].

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first impression" to introduce an immediate reaction or assessment of something or someone. For example, "Upon first impression, the city seemed overwhelming, but it quickly grew on me."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "upon" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using "at" or "on" instead, such as "at first impression" or "on first impression", for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first impression" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing and basis for an initial judgment or perception. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in introducing someone's initial assessment of a person, place, or thing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon first impression" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce an initial assessment or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While slightly formal, it effectively signals that the following statement is based on a preliminary judgment. Alternatives such as "at first glance" or "initially" may offer a less formal tone. Primarily found in news and media sources, "upon first impression" serves to frame initial perceptions in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Focuses on a quick, initial visual assessment.

initially

A more general term indicating something happened at the beginning.

at the outset

Emphasizes the beginning stage or phase.

on initial inspection

Implies a more careful and deliberate first examination.

from the get-go

An informal expression emphasizing the very start.

in the beginning

Refers to the start, but doesn't necessarily relate to an impression.

to begin with

Similar to 'initially' but can also refer to a reason or starting point in an argument.

at the start

A simple and direct way to indicate the beginning.

in the first instance

Formal way of referring to the first action or case.

on the face of it

Indicates something seems a certain way based on initial appearance, often implying this might be misleading.

FAQs

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

You can use "upon first impression" to describe your initial thoughts or feelings about something. For example: "Upon first impression, the artwork seemed chaotic, but further inspection revealed a hidden order."

What are some alternatives to "upon first impression"?

Some alternatives include "at first glance", "initially", or "at the outset". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "upon first impression" and "on first impression" are grammatically acceptable, but "upon" tends to sound more formal and slightly archaic. "On first impression" is generally more common in modern usage.

What's the difference between "upon first impression" and "at first sight"?

"Upon first impression" refers to a general initial assessment, while "at first sight" specifically relates to visual perception. You might use "upon first impression" to describe a feeling about a book after reading its summary, but "at first sight" would describe your reaction to seeing someone for the first time.