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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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On first look

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"on first look" is a correct and usable phrase in written English
You can use it to describe the initial impression of something. For example, "On first look, the house appeared small and dark, but once inside, I was surprised by how spacious it actually was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The original Sin City film in 2005 offered a vivid anthology of stories from Miller's hard-boiled crime series about the fictional, rain-drenched dystopia Basin City, and this one, on first look, appeared just as visceral.

News & Media

Independent

Education appears on first look to be one of the few winners: the administration requests an additional $1 billion for Title I, the financing stream aimed at impoverished children.

News & Media

The New York Times

His creations at times had the same effect that Jackson's moonwalk might have on first look.

News & Media

Independent

Further along are Richard Silberman's photographs that, on first look, you'd swear were drawings.

News & Media

The New York Times

On first look you will think, "Preeya Kalidas is delightful, but she's no Gaga".

On first look, 2016 was another groundbreaking year for Australian women in sport.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We Heart It president Dave Williams swung by TechCrunch's San Francisco headquarters to give us a hands-on first look at the app, which has been overhauled from the ground up for the new design.

News & Media

TechCrunch

We could tell you about it, but of course you want to see it in action... Please watch our hands-on first look of the NERF Accustrike Blasters -.

News & Media

Huffington Post

On first looking into Chapman's Homer... of course!

A sort of On first looking into Chapman's Homer kind of experience.

Well, on first looking into Myles's Keats and Chapman, we're struck by their fantastic, almost Gothic, structure.

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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use "on first look" to introduce an initial impression or assessment that might change upon further investigation. It sets the stage for a deeper analysis.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "on first look" when presenting a final, well-researched conclusion. This phrase implies a preliminary observation, not a definitive finding.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on first look" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the perspective from which an observation is made. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on first look" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce an initial impression. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it suggests a preliminary assessment that might be subject to change with further investigation. Alternatives like "at first glance" or "initially" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

FAQs

What does "on first look" mean?

"On first look" means based on an initial or superficial assessment, often implying that further investigation might reveal a different or more complex reality.

How can I use "on first look" in a sentence?

You can use "on first look" to introduce an initial impression, such as: "At first glance, the problem seemed simple, but it quickly became more complicated."

What are some alternatives to "on first look"?

Some alternatives include "at first glance", "initially", or "at first sight", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "on first look" in formal writing?

While "on first look" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "on initial inspection" or "prima facie" might be preferred in highly formal or academic contexts.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: