upon first viewing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon first viewing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the initial experience or impression of something, such as a film, artwork, or any visual content. Example: "Upon first viewing the painting, I was struck by its vibrant colors and emotional depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The authors also had this impression upon first viewing the resource, which brings into question the motivations of TiS in targeting the resource at GCSE level.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Upon first viewing the film, he joked that while it "wasn't Gone with the Wind", it had commercial potential, and he expressed an interest in distributing it.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It certainly looked sickening upon first view.

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't make sense at first, but upon second viewing, it's clear that Lex Luthor is actually a malfunctioning android and his moronic behavior is due to his circuits being fried.

The Guardian - Film

Stack noted that he did not love "Home" upon his first viewing, but praised it for adding depth to the characters and tackling body image and sexuality issues.

Wikipedia

On first viewing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre they experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety; however, upon subsequent viewing they found the violence against women less offensive and more enjoyable.

Wikipedia

Upon a second viewing, Darke still believed the ball must have clipped Ream to take that apparent right turn on its way toward the back of the net.

Huffington Post

(Sarris reversed his opinion upon a second viewing of the film, and declared "2001 is indeed a major work by a major artist". ) John Simon felt it was "a regrettable failure, although not a total one.

Wikipedia

We noticed that teacher-participants were able to identify more such issues upon the second viewing, which we believe reflected the depth to which they came to understand both scientific concepts as well as ELSI issues.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Maybe, upon second thought, not Genet.

The New York Times

I could not agree more, and as our elected representatives are about to consider dismantling the social safety supports that so many of these children and families depend upon, they would do well to first view Ask Us Who We Are.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon first viewing" to emphasize the immediate, initial impact or impression something has on an observer. It adds a touch of formality compared to "at first glance".

Common error

Avoid substituting "upon" with "on" in formal writing. While "on first viewing" isn't grammatically incorrect, "upon first viewing" lends a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon first viewing" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It establishes the temporal context of an initial experience or impression. Ludwig AI shows many examples of this pattern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon first viewing" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that indicates an initial impression or reaction. While not as common as alternatives like "at first glance", it conveys a slightly more formal and sophisticated tone. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's most frequently used in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. When writing, remember to use "upon" correctly and to consider the level of formality you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Focuses on the immediate visual impression.

upon initial observation

Highlights the act of noticing something for the first time through careful attention.

on initial inspection

Emphasizes a closer, more detailed look right from the start.

at first blush

Implies a superficial or immediate assessment.

with the first impression

Highlights the subjective feeling and perception.

at the first showing

Specifically refers to the premiere or initial exhibition of something.

at the outset of viewing

Focuses on the beginning stage of the viewing process.

after the first look

Emphasizes the action of looking and then evaluating.

on the first occasion of seeing

A more verbose way of expressing the initial viewing experience.

on its debut

Refers to the very first appearance of something.

FAQs

What does "upon first viewing" mean?

The phrase "upon first viewing" means during the first experience of watching or seeing something. It refers to the initial impression or reaction.

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

You can use "upon first viewing" to describe your initial reaction to a film, a work of art, or any scene or event. For example: "Upon first viewing, the film seemed confusing, but it made more sense after a second watch."

What are some alternatives to "upon first viewing"?

Alternatives to "upon first viewing" include "at first glance", "initially", or "on first impression". Choose the best alternative based on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "upon first viewing" or "at first glance"?

"Upon first viewing" is generally considered more formal than "at first glance". The use of "upon" contributes to a more elevated tone.