was initially viewed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was initially viewed as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how something was perceived or interpreted at the beginning of a situation or context. Example: "The new policy was initially viewed as a positive change by the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Here in Israel, Mr. Cipel was initially viewed as either an enigma or an oddity.

The New York Times

When the trade was made, Longley was initially viewed as the Knicks' new starting center.

The New York Times - Sports

Idle No More was initially viewed as a local campaign before it used Facebook and Twitter to gain international recognition.

The Guardian

Still, if in South Africa the show was initially viewed as a sociopolitical phenomenon, in London it became an artistic happening.

The New York Times

Corbyn was initially viewed as fringe candidate for the Labour leadership but gained trade union backing and won in a landslide last year.

The Guardian

The so-called "Geneva II" conference (which actually began in Montreaux) was initially viewed as little more than a photo opportunity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

So the Democrats are more or less cooling their heels, placed in check by a fellow who was initially viewed, at best, as a political lightweight.

The New York Times

SnapChat may have been initially viewed as a "toy," reminiscent of Chris Dixon's famous post on this topic.

TechCrunch

The program can be initially viewed as a black box having n inputs corresponding to the variables x and n outputs corresponding to the x′.

Discrete Applied Mathematics

Archaea were initially viewed as extremophiles living in harsh environments, such as hot springs and salt lakes, but they have since been found in a broad range of habitats, including soils, oceans, marshlands and the human colon and navel.

Wikipedia

Cans were initially viewed as a technological breakthrough for maintaining the quality of a beer, then became commonly associated with less expensive, mass-produced beers, even though the quality of storage in cans is much like bottles.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide context when using "was initially viewed as". Clarify who held the initial view and what factors led to a change in perspective to provide a more impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was initially viewed as" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "was originally considered" or "was formerly perceived" to enhance readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was initially viewed as" functions as a passive construction used to describe how something was perceived or understood at the beginning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is common and easily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was initially viewed as" is a versatile phrase used to describe an earlier perception that has since changed. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains like news, science, and encyclopedias. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to highlight contrasts in understanding, provide context, and avoid overuse by incorporating alternatives such as "was originally regarded as" or "was formerly perceived as". Remember, clarity and variety are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was originally regarded as

Focuses on the original assessment or estimation of something.

was first considered to be

Highlights the initial act of taking something into account.

was formerly perceived as

Emphasizes a previous understanding that is no longer current.

was at first believed to be

Indicates an early conviction or acceptance of something's nature.

was previously understood as

Stresses the prior comprehension of a concept or idea.

was initially conceived of as

Highlights the original mental image or concept of something.

was formerly known as

Focuses on a name or title that has since been replaced.

was originally defined as

Emphasizes the initial classification or explanation of something.

started out being seen as

Indicates an early stage of perception or recognition.

was once thought of as

Highlights a past opinion or idea about something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was initially viewed as"?

You can use alternatives like "was originally regarded as", "was first considered to be", or "was formerly perceived as" depending on the context.

How do I use "was initially viewed as" in a sentence?

The phrase "was initially viewed as" is used to describe a past perception that has since changed. Example: "The policy was initially viewed as beneficial, but later proved to be problematic."

Is it correct to say "is initially viewed as"?

While grammatically possible, "is initially viewed as" is less common. "Was initially viewed as" is typically used to discuss a past perspective.

What's the difference between "was initially viewed as" and "was originally viewed as"?

The phrases are very similar, but "initially" emphasizes the very first impression, while "originally" can refer to a broader time frame in the past. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.