Meaning
used to indicate the beginning of a situation or action that changes or develops over time
Primary Function
to introduce an initial state or condition
Communicative Purpose
to describe a starting point or an early stage of something that later changes or evolves
Pattern
at first
Core Structure
at first
Função primária
to introduce an initial state or condition
Propósito comunicativo
to describe a starting point or an early stage of something that later changes or evolves
Situações de gatilho
when telling stories, describing personal experiences, or explaining how something changed
Contextos
informal conversations, formal writing, storytelling, and everyday discussions
Padrão
at first
Estrutura central
at first
Slots de substituição
None; the phrase is used as a fixed unit.
Colocados típicos
- but then
- however
- yet
Substituições comuns
- initially
- originally
- to begin with
- at the outset
Erros comuns
using 'at first' without a contrasting phrase, omitting the completion of the thought
Similar / contraste
initially, in the beginning, firstly, to start with
Interferências
confusing 'at first' with 'firstly' when listing items
Família do chunk
- temporal connectors
- sequencers
Nuance
sets up a contrast between the initial and later stages of a situation, indicating a change or development
Efeito pragmático
creates narrative tension, shows change or evolution, and engages the listener or reader
Dica de memória
at first I didn’t like it
Nota
Common in both spoken and written English to signal a change over time.
Upgrade path
first, at first, initially, originally
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