we initially agreed

USAGE SUMMARY

"We initially agreed" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts, such as when referring to an agreement that was reached between two parties: "We initially agreed to meet at the park, but then changed our minds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They approached us for financial support and we initially agreed but then we had to withdraw.

The Guardian - Sport

We undertook an iterative process in which we initially agreed scale definitions, piloted their use on sets of cases and made modifications to improve utility and reliability.

BMC Psychiatry

We undertook an iterative process in which we initially agreed scale definitions and rating guidelines, piloted their use on sets of cases and modified the scale and guidelines to improve utility and reliability.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Among the non-responders we also counted those participants who initially agreed to participate but did not keep their receipt.

British Medical Journal

Despite initial reluctance from the Tuaregs, a merger was initially agreed.

BBC

"I had initially agreed to a meeting with him," Mr. Kennedy said, "provided we would not debate this in public in terms of my personal faith.

The New York Times

Mr. Bernanke initially agreed, telling colleagues at his first meeting as chairman, in March, "I think we are unlikely to see growth being derailed by the housing market".

The New York Times

The Iranians initially agreed.

The New Yorker

She initially agreed, then dissolved the council.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The university council initially agreed to an exact rebuilding.

The Guardian

Mansfield initially agreed — but the rest of the caucus revolted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we initially agreed" to clearly indicate that an agreement was made at the start, but may have changed later. This sets the context for subsequent developments or deviations from the original plan.

Common error

Avoid using "we initially agreed" if the agreement still holds true; instead, use "we agreed" to avoid misleading your audience. Make it clear if the initial agreement has been modified or is no longer in effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we initially agreed" functions as a statement of past agreement. It indicates that a consensus or understanding was reached at some point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in a written context. Ludwig shows several examples, both exact and similar, demonstrating various scenarios where such a phrase might be used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we initially agreed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a past agreement that may or may not still be in effect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, clarify whether the initial agreement still stands. Consider alternatives like "we originally concurred" or "we preliminarily accepted" for stylistic variation. This phrase serves to introduce a historical context to an agreement, highlighting potential changes or deviations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we originally concurred

Replaces 'agreed' with 'concurred' and 'initially' with 'originally', indicating a slight shift towards a more formal tone.

we had an initial understanding

Replaces 'agreed' with 'understanding', focusing on a shared comprehension rather than a formal agreement.

we preliminarily accepted

Substitutes 'agreed' with 'accepted' and 'initially' with 'preliminarily', highlighting the provisional nature of the acceptance.

we first consented

Replaces "initially agreed" with "first consented", emphasizing the sequence of agreement.

our initial stance was in agreement

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the initial position of agreement, rather than the act of agreeing.

we began by agreeing

Focuses on the beginning of the process with the agreement, but the meaning remains unchanged.

we started in accord

Replaces 'agreed' with 'in accord', suggesting harmony or alignment from the beginning.

we had an early consensus

Swaps out "initially agreed" for "early consensus", denoting a collective agreement reached early on.

at first, we were in agreement

Uses "at first" to underscore the temporary nature of the agreement.

we tentatively approved

Emphasizes the hesitant and provisional nature of the approval.

FAQs

How can I use "we initially agreed" in a sentence?

Use "we initially agreed" to show that there was an agreement at the beginning, but it might have changed later. For example, "We initially agreed on a budget of $1000, but later increased it to $1500".

What's the difference between "we initially agreed" and "we agreed"?

"We agreed" implies a current or ongoing agreement, while "we initially agreed" suggests an agreement that was in place at the beginning but may no longer be valid. Use "we agreed" for current agreements and "we initially agreed" to indicate a past agreement that has since changed.

What can I say instead of "we initially agreed"?

You can use alternatives like "we originally concurred", "we had an initial understanding", or "we preliminarily accepted" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we initially agreed", or is there a better way to phrase it?

Yes, "we initially agreed" is correct and commonly used. It effectively conveys that an agreement was made at the beginning. However, you can also use alternative phrasings like "we first consented" or "at first, we were in agreement" for variety.