when I first found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I first found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the moment you discovered something for the first time, often in a narrative or reflective context. Example: "When I first found the hidden treasure, I couldn't believe my eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

i reported when i first found a serious bug in 2008.

TechCrunch

I'll never forget when I first found out.

The New Yorker

It was buried under leaves when I first found it.

The New Yorker

"I was shellshocked when I first found out," Chandler said.

The New York Times - Sports

"When I first found out, I couldn't believe it.

The Guardian

"I was angry when I first found it.

The Guardian - Music

When I first found out, I was disgusted.

The Guardian - Film

Stride said, "I remember when I first found out my son was an addict.

The New Yorker

"When I first found out, it was like the wind knocked out of you," she said.

The New York Times

When I first found out about the Abu Ghraib scandals, I wasn't shocked.

The New York Times

When I first found Nerdman and wrote to him, he was hesitant to be interviewed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when I first found" to introduce a personal anecdote or reflect on a past experience, providing context for a subsequent statement or observation. It's particularly effective in storytelling and creating a sense of discovery.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense "find" when referring to a past event. Always use "found" to maintain grammatical accuracy when describing something you discovered in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I first found" functions as an adverbial clause, introducing a circumstance or condition that provides context to the main clause. It specifies the timing of a discovery or initial encounter, similar to examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "when I first found" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial clause, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce a past event, emphasizing the initial moment of discovery. Alternatives include "when I initially discovered" or "the first time I encountered". A common mistake is confusing the past and present tense of the word "find", therefore use "found" when you are relating to a past experience. The phrase is useful for setting the stage for personal stories and reflections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when I initially came across

Uses "came across" instead of "found", suggesting a more casual or accidental discovery.

the first time I encountered

Replaces "found" with "encountered", focusing on the experience of meeting or facing something for the first time.

as soon as I discovered

Emphasizes the immediacy of the discovery.

upon my initial discovery

Formal alternative replacing "when I first found" with a more sophisticated tone.

my initial discovery of

Uses a nominalized structure to highlight the act of discovering.

at the moment of my discovery

Emphasizes the specific point in time when something was discovered.

the day I stumbled upon

Suggests an accidental discovery, replacing "found" with a more vivid phrase.

on first encountering

A more concise and slightly formal way to express the initial encounter.

my introduction to

Focuses on the initial experience of being introduced to something.

the first instance I located

Replaces "found" with "located", implying a more deliberate search.

FAQs

How can I use "when I first found" in a sentence?

You can use "when I first found" to introduce a past experience or discovery, such as, "When I first found this book, it changed my perspective."

What can I say instead of "when I first found"?

You can use alternatives like "when I initially discovered", "the first time I encountered", or "upon my initial discovery depending on the context."

Is it correct to say "when I first find" instead of "when I first found"?

No, "when I first find" is incorrect when referring to a past event. The correct form is "when I first found", which uses the past tense of "find".

What's the difference between "when I first found" and "after I found"?

"When I first found" emphasizes the moment of discovery, while "after I found" focuses on the subsequent events following the discovery. The former is about the initial experience, the latter is about what happened next.