At First – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever tried a new food and didn’t like it immediately? Your initial feeling is what we describe with at first. This common idiom talks about the beginning of a situation, especially when your opinion or the situation changes later. Learning this phrase will help you share stories about first impressions.
What Does “At First” Mean?
“At first” means at the beginning of a situation or experience. It is often used to show a contrast with what happens later.
Think of it like this: You meet someone new and feel shy. But after talking, you become friends. You felt shy at first.
Remember, it is not about the only time something happened. It is about the initial part of an experience that may change.
When to Use It
You can use this idiom in many everyday stories and explanations.
- New Experiences: “I was nervous at first when I started my new job.”
- Learning: “The math problem was confusing at first.”
- Relationships: “We didn’t like each other at first.”
The tone is neutral and storytelling. It works well in both informal and neutral conversations.
Example Sentences
- At first, I didn’t understand the movie, but then I loved it.
- The baby cried at first when she met her new babysitter.
- I didn’t recognize you at first with your new haircut!
- It was difficult at first, but now it’s easy.
Mini Dialogue
Ben: “How was your hiking trip?”
Chloe: “It was great! At first, I thought it was too hard, but the view at the top was amazing.”
Ben: “Yeah, at first I always think I can’t do it, but I always feel great afterwards.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “at first” with “first,” which is used for listing steps in order.
❌ Don’t say: “At first, open the box. Second, take out the parts.” (This is incorrect for instructions).
✅ Do say: “First, open the box. Second, take out the parts.” OR “At first, I didn’t know how to open the box.”
Practice Tip
Think about something you tried recently. Tell a friend about your initial impression using “at first.” For example, “At first, I didn’t like that song, but now I do.”
Final Note
This is a very useful phrase for telling stories and explaining how your feelings changed. It helps you connect the past with the present in your conversations. You will find yourself using it often!
