upon first reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first reading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial reading of a text, such as a book or article. For example: "Upon first reading, I found the story to be quite interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Upon first reading, it's easy to see Bateman as exactly this: a psychopath beneath this veneer of a businessman.

The Guardian - Books

When I was a teacher, I taught this book and I'll never forget the way my students reacted to it upon first reading.

The Guardian

The works of Auslander, Roth, and Ozick are obviously rooted in the disbelief that we all felt upon first reading the sentence, "Anne's diary ends here".

The New Yorker

Maybe you're like me: my reluctance to part with books, even those I despised upon first reading, is strong enough to land me on one of those hoarding television shows.

The New Yorker

What I loved upon first reading "The Hare" is what I still love most of all about his writing: his delight in leaping into triple-back-flip dives from the very highest platform, even as the pool vanishes, to land neatly on his toes on a little patch of daisies.

The New Yorker

She recalls her surprise upon first reading of the Wellbeing Index's reflection of this widespread sense of civic disengagement – especially among the young and more recent arrivals to the city – so starkly did it contrast with her own personal experience of Santa Monica as place of classically tight-knit small-town social fabric.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A curious statement upon first read, but my desert rambles have confirmed that nothing illuminates irrational fear more brilliantly than sun bouncing off slickrock.

The New York Times

The identification of the Nitrosoarchaeum tubulins by Yutin and Koonin is potentially interesting, and upon first read I tended to agree with their conclusion that the results are compatible with the origin of eukaryotic tubulins from Nitrosoarchaeum tubulins.

Biology Direct

Likewise, Mr. Comte-Sponville's pithy sentences sometimes wilt upon second reading or turn silly, as when he writes of losing his adolescent faith: "Such freedom!

The New York Times

Recalling "The Lottery" in our conversation, Miriam Friend was no less disturbed by it than she had been upon her first reading, nor had she changed her mind about it in the last sixty-five years.

The New Yorker

These derivations can be skipped upon the first reading.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first reading" to clearly indicate an initial impression or understanding derived specifically from reading a text. This helps to distinguish it from other types of first impressions.

Common error

Avoid using "upon first reading" when referring to impressions formed through other senses or experiences. The phrase is specific to insights gained from reading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first reading" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing or circumstance under which an initial understanding or impression is formed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon first reading" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to contextualize an initial reaction or understanding of a text. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it's a valid and useful phrase for specifying the timing of an impression derived directly from reading. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, demonstrating its versatility in expressing nuanced comprehension. When considering alternative phrases, options like "on initial reading" or "at first glance" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on initial reading

More concise and slightly less formal alternative.

on the first reading

Slightly more emphatic and specific.

at first glance

Focuses more on a visual first impression, but can be used metaphorically.

when initially reading

Emphasizes the action of reading as the point of reference.

at the first reading

More formal and emphasizes the reading event.

in the initial reading

Highlights the reading process.

at the outset

Refers to the beginning, but less specific to reading.

initially

Simplest and most general way to express the concept.

at the beginning

Broader and less focused on the act of reading itself.

to begin with

Introduces a first point, not necessarily related to reading.

FAQs

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

You can use "upon first reading" to describe your initial reaction or understanding of a text. For example, "Upon first reading, the novel seemed straightforward, but later readings revealed deeper complexities."

What is a more formal alternative to "upon first reading"?

A more formal alternative could be "on initial reading" or "at the first reading". These options maintain a similar meaning while sounding slightly more elevated.

Is "upon first reading" interchangeable with "at first glance"?

While both phrases refer to initial impressions, "at first glance" generally implies a quick, superficial assessment, whereas "upon first reading" refers specifically to the initial experience of reading a text.

What's the difference between "upon first reading" and "upon second reading"?

"Upon first reading" describes your initial understanding, while "upon second reading" indicates a revised or deeper understanding gained from re-examining the text.