upon initial inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon initial inspection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a first look or preliminary assessment of something before a more detailed examination. Example: "Upon initial inspection, the report seemed to contain several inconsistencies that required further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Plain anterior-posterior and axial radiographs of the shoulder were unremarkable upon initial inspection.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Upon initial inspection, skin cancer case data exhibits a nonconstant variance among the observations as well as a growth rate which one would expect from changing population statistics across time.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The initial inspection indicated no visible damage, Mr. Sumwalt said.

The New York Times

The animals had fallen after passing an initial inspection by government inspectors.

The New York Times

Initial inspection of my clothes from last night would suggest the former".

The Guardian - Sport

The cattle in question had passed initial inspection by a Department of Agriculture veterinarian.

The New York Times

Douglas Fogg, who was then the assistant fire chief in Corsicana, conducted the initial inspection.

The New Yorker

The surface passed an initial inspection on Thursday, but a further inspection on Friday deemed parts of the pitch unplayable.

BBC

Our initial inspection revealed expensive toys that we couldn't afford for just cheap thrills.

TechCrunch

With my initial inspection, there just wasn't enough going on to engage me visually.

Forbes

It's only used for the newcomers' initial inspection by the police and other services.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon initial inspection" when you want to convey a sense of formality and thoroughness in describing a first look or assessment. It suggests a careful, though preliminary, examination.

Common error

Avoid using "upon initial inspection" in informal contexts where a simpler phrase like "at first glance" or "initially" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon initial inspection" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying the time or condition under which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to describe a first look or preliminary assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon initial inspection" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a preliminary assessment or first look. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a formal register. Ludwig AI validates its usability. For less formal situations, alternatives like "at first glance" may be more suitable. Remember to use it when you mean to be professional and serious in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Replaces the formal "upon initial inspection" with a more common and less formal idiom.

on first viewing

Focuses on the visual aspect of the initial assessment.

in the first instance

Emphasizes the temporal sequence of the inspection.

from a preliminary assessment

Highlights the assessment nature and its preliminary stage.

at the outset

Indicates something considered from the very beginning or start.

on the face of it

Implies that something is true based on initial appearances, though this may change.

based on a quick look

Offers a more casual and informal alternative.

in an initial review

Emphasizes the act of reviewing something when starting to inspect.

following an initial survey

Specifies the survey as method used for the inspection.

after a cursory examination

Replaces "initial inspection" with "cursory examination", implying a brief and superficial assessment.

FAQs

What does "upon initial inspection" mean?

The phrase "upon initial inspection" means after a first or preliminary examination of something. It suggests a quick look to form a first impression or assessment.

What can I say instead of "upon initial inspection"?

You can use alternatives like "at first glance", "initially", or "on first viewing" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "upon initial inspection"?

The phrase "upon initial inspection" is quite formal. Simpler alternatives are often preferred in less formal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "upon initial inspection"?

Use "upon initial inspection" when you want to convey a sense of formality and thoroughness, such as in a report, formal email, or academic paper.