when I first applied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I first applied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial moment or occasion when you submitted an application for a job, program, or opportunity. Example: "When I first applied for the position, I was nervous but hopeful about the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The rules have changed since 2002, when I first applied.

The New Yorker

I went into hibernation mode when I first applied to it.

The New Yorker

According to statements made when I first applied, I had said I expected to sell my first short story by June of 1939.

The New Yorker

When I first applied it, the feel was more oily than I was used to.

Huffington Post

My portfolio changed dramatically from when I first applied to NewSchool of Architecture & Design, and less since.

Vice

"It was really scary back in 2012 when I first applied to the program because I didn't know what was going to happen," he said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I had started playing an organ when I was 14. "I first applied to play there in 1987.

The New York Times

When it first applied for permission in 1989, the Huntington Town Board reviewed the application and voted to require the club to conduct an environmental impact statement.

The New York Times

Lincoln National said that when it first applied for the program, it wasn't sure if it would qualify.

Forbes

This is almost less than half of the $9.8 billion valuation Line reportedly anticipated when it first applied to go public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in summer 2014.

TechCrunch

When I first entered the field and was applying for teaching jobs across the country, I confidently answered application questions about how I cope with intense difficulties and setbacks.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and audience. While generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "upon my initial application".

Common error

Avoid using "when I first applied" if the context refers to reapplying after a rejection. This phrase implies the very first instance, so clarify if you're referring to a subsequent application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I first applied" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when an action occurred. This clause introduces a temporal context, indicating a specific point in the past when the speaker initially submitted an application. Ludwig confirms the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when I first applied" serves as a temporal marker, pinpointing the initial instance of an application. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While primarily found in News & Media, it also appears in Wiki and Science sources. For formal settings, consider alternatives like "upon my initial application". Be clear about what you applied for, avoid ambiguity about whether is the first time and think about alternative expressions to improve context and professionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon my initial application

Formal; emphasizes the moment of the first application.

at the time of my original application

More descriptive; highlights the point in time when the application was made.

when initially submitting my application

Focuses on the act of submission rather than just application.

in my first application

Slightly more concise; omits "when" and rephrases the sentence structure.

during my initial application process

Highlights the process aspect of applying.

on my first attempt to apply

Emphasizes the attempt and can imply potential failures.

when I submitted my very first application

Adds emphasis on the application being the very first one.

at my first application

Shorter, slightly less common phrasing.

when I began the application process

Focuses on the beginning of the entire process, rather than a specific application.

upon the application's inception

A formal and somewhat indirect way of referring to the initial application.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when I first applied" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "upon my initial application" or "at the time of my original application".

Is it correct to say "when I first applied for" or should I use a different preposition?

The preposition "for" is typically correct after "applied" when specifying what you applied for. For instance, "When I first applied for the job" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "when I first applied" and "when I initially applied"?

The phrases are very similar, but "when I initially applied" may subtly emphasize that it was the beginning of a process, while "when I first applied" simply denotes the first instance.

Can I use "when I first applied" in a cover letter or is it too informal?

While acceptable, it's generally better to opt for slightly more formal phrasing in a cover letter. Consider alternatives like "during my initial application process" or "upon submitting my original application" to maintain a professional tone.