upon initial observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon initial observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a first impression or preliminary assessment of a situation or subject. Example: "Upon initial observation, the results of the experiment appeared to be inconclusive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The album's cover art, upon initial observation, could be a trigger for anyone fatigued by the dialogue around how rap's new guard is a stain on the genre's legacy.

Vice

Based upon initial observation that the leaflets of 4x plants (as confirmed by nuclear DNA content measurement) looked broader than those of 2x plants, a quantitative morphometric assay was devised, as depicted in Figure  2.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When conditioning upon the initial observation y 0, the mean of the series y t is given by y 0 up to time T B and by y 0 + γ afterward under the null hypothesis.

Agricultural and Food Economics

This is a good idea and we hope we and/or others can extend upon this initial observation by performing a prospective study to generate a daily time course of chymase levels in dengue patients.

eLife

30, 53, 69, 78 Most of the existing tension sensor modules are based upon the initial observation that elastic molecules such as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) can act as pN force sensors when inserted between two fluorescent dyes undergoing efficient FRET.

Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

Here, we expand upon these initial observations and establish a critical role for Ubp2 in the ubiquitin-dependent sorting of plasma membrane proteins using Fur4 as a model substrate.

Plosone

Additional studies are in progress to expand upon these initial observations.

Breast Cancer Research

A considerable body of work has built upon the initial observations of Howe and Haysman (1966) that recombination was reduced on the N. tetrasperma mating-type chromosome.

Genetics

It was tremendous seeing my first subjects, for the initial observation, enter the room.

The New Yorker

"Our initial observation is that the Scottish financial sector is unusually large, with total assets estimated at 12.5 times GDP.

The Guardian

Further experiments are needed to explore this initial observation.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon initial observation", ensure that subsequent analysis or findings either confirm or challenge that initial view. This sets up a clear narrative or line of reasoning.

Common error

Avoid treating "upon initial observation" as the definitive conclusion. Always emphasize that it's a starting point, subject to further scrutiny and potential revision. Do not present the initial observation without supporting evidence or a plan for further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon initial observation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating the temporal context or basis of an assessment. It signals that what follows is based on a preliminary examination.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon initial observation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a preliminary assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the examples reveal its presence in scientific and news contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like "at first glance", it carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, remember that it should preface a more in-depth analysis, not stand as a definitive conclusion. Keep in mind that alternatives such as "initially" may offer a more concise option, depending on the specific writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first glance

Indicates an immediate impression, often implying a superficial assessment.

on first inspection

Emphasizes a preliminary examination or review.

initially

A concise adverb indicating the beginning stage of observation.

at the outset

Highlights the very beginning of an observation period.

from the start

Suggests an observation made from the very beginning of something.

on the surface

Implies that the initial observation might not reflect deeper realities.

at first blush

Similar to "at first glance", suggesting a quick and perhaps romanticized initial view.

in the beginning

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the observation, indicating what was noticed at the start.

to begin with

Introduces an initial point or observation among others.

prima facie

A more formal, legal term indicating something apparent on the face of it.

FAQs

What does "upon initial observation" mean?

The phrase "upon initial observation" means based on a first look or preliminary assessment. It introduces an idea based on an initial assessment.

How can I use "upon initial observation" in a sentence?

You can use "upon initial observation" to introduce a first impression. For example, "Upon initial observation, the data suggested a strong correlation."

What are some alternatives to "upon initial observation"?

Alternatives include "at first glance", "on first inspection", or "initially" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "upon initial observation" or "at first glance"?

Both "upon initial observation" and "at first glance" are acceptable, but "upon initial observation" may be more suitable in formal or scientific writing, while "at first glance" is more common in informal contexts.