Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
very initials
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "very initials" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when it would be appropriate to use this phrase due to its ambiguity. Example: "Please provide your very initials for verification." (This usage is awkward and unclear.)
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
His very initials revolted Mather.
News & Media
Twenty-five yeago ago, when I was a junior flack at Hewlett-Packard, the very initials DEC struck terror in my workmates.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
Fourth, a few studies have demonstrated that, to be successful, postconditioning should be initiated in the very initial minutes of reperfusion.
Science
"We are talking about a process at its very initial stages," the statement read.
News & Media
"What we have seen is a program in the very initial stages of development," Dr. ElBaradei said of the Libyan effort.
News & Media
"We're at the very initial stages, but that will be the wave of the future in fashion retailing," he said.
News & Media
After applying for a separate warrant for Mr. Ouazzani's communications, they identified two additional conspirators and discovered they were "in the very initial stages" of the stock exchange bomb plot, he said.
News & Media
At a very initial stage of corrosion reaction, dissolved oxygen contributes to cathodic reaction, whereas H+ formed through Eqs.
In conclusion, the results showed that the soils were clearly in a very initial state of soil development.
Science
The very initial acceleration from thermal to supra-thermal energies at collisionless shocks is still under debate.
Science
The results obtained allows to design some initial reference configurations with satisfactory cruise performance in this very initial stage of the design process.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When referring to someone's initials, ensure clarity by specifying "full initials" or "initials only" to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "very initials" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "full initials" or simply "initials" to maintain precision and readability.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "very initials" functions as an adjective-noun combination, attempting to modify "initials" with an intensifier. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this usage is not grammatically correct or standard in English.
Frequent in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Science
0%
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "very initials" is grammatically awkward and lacks clear meaning in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is incorrect and suggests alternatives such as "full initials" or "exact initials" for better clarity. The phrase's limited occurrence primarily in News & Media indicates its non-standard nature. To ensure precision and readability, it is best to avoid "very initials" in formal writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
exact initials
Focuses on precision rather than degree.
precise initials
Similar to 'exact initials', highlighting accuracy.
complete initials
Emphasizes fullness instead of intensity.
full initials
Similar to 'complete initials', stressing all initials are needed.
starting initials
Highlights the initial letters used at the beginning.
initial letters
Replaces the adjective with a descriptive noun phrase.
first initials
Refers to the first letters of a name.
basic initials
Implies the simplest form of initials.
earliest initials
Focuses on the chronological aspect of initial usage.
initial identifying marks
Expands the concept to include a broader range of initial identifiers.
FAQs
How can I use the word "initials" in a sentence?
You can use "initials" in a sentence like: "Please provide your initials to confirm the changes" or "The document was signed with the employee's initials".
Is there a difference between "initials" and "signatures"?
"Initials" are the first letters of a name used to represent a person, while "signatures" are a stylized representation of a person's full name. Signatures usually require more effort.
What is an alternative to saying "very initials"?
Since "very initials" is not standard, you can use alternatives like "full initials" or "exact initials" depending on the intended meaning.
When is it appropriate to ask for someone's initials?
It's appropriate to ask for someone's initials when you need a quick form of identification or confirmation, such as on a legal document or a form requiring acknowledgement of changes.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested