"at first glance" vs "at a first glance"

Question

"at first glance" vs "at a first glance"

Both 'at first glance' and 'at a first glance' are correct, but 'at first glance' is the more commonly used phrase in English. They both convey the idea of forming an initial impression or opinion based on a quick look.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

This phrase is used to describe the initial impression or opinion one forms when looking at something quickly.

Examples:

At first glance, the painting seemed simple, but upon closer inspection, its complexity became apparent.
At first glance, the problem appeared easy to solve, but it turned out to be more challenging than expected.

Alternatives:

initially
at a quick glance
at a cursory glance
at first sight
on first impression

This phrase also conveys the idea of forming an initial impression or opinion based on a quick look, but it is less frequently used than 'at first glance.'

Examples:

At a first glance, the book seemed interesting, but after reading a few pages, it lost its appeal.

Alternatives:

at first glance
initially
at a quick glance
at a cursory glance
at first sight

Answer 1

at first glance

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

at a first glance

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"at first glance" vs "at a first glance"

at first glance

at a first glance

Related Comparisons