at first glance = when you look at something for the first time
This is usually used to communicate a first impression, before you have looked more carefully. e.g At first glance, everything looks fine = everything looks fine but I will need to check more carefully to make sure.
This expression might often be used to contrast a first impression with a subsequent change in opinion. e.g. At first glance I thought it was my old teacher, but then I realised it must be someone else – he wasn’t old enough.
Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?
Accent: Northern England
80%
1x
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
, .
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
If too good at , make read the small .
[simple_toggle title="About the sentence" custom_class="" show="closed"]
…if a deal seems too good to be true…
The expression too good to be true is used to describe something which seems so perfect that you expect something to be wrong. It is probably better than you expected, which makes you suspicious.
We use this expression in the following piece of advice: If you think something is too good to be true, then it probably is.
[/simple_toggle]
Accent: Ireland
80%
1x
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
, .
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
I'll it later on, but everything looks .
About the sentence
…I’ll go through it in more detail later…
The phrasal verb to go through something means to examine something carefully to check, test or practise it. e.g. Let’s go through the plan step by step to make sure everything is clear.
Accent: England (RP)
80%
1x
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
, , .
Answer Feedback Guide
Correct so far…
Something’s wrong…
Correct answer!
Wrong answer
Answer revealed
, it looked house, but to notice issues.
About the sentence
…a couple of issues…
Issue is a useful synonym for problem. e.g. Thanks for all your hard work on the book design. There’s just one small issue with the cover we need you to fix.
Can you think of a time when your first impression (your opinion about something based on the first time you saw it) turned out to be incorrect? Use the expression ‘at first glance’ in your answer.
Unlock This Full Exercise with a Free Account
Free accounts can unlock any 5 full exercises every month. Track your progress and bookmark favorites.
This exercise:3 dictations
Accents:Ireland, Northern England, Received Pronunciation
The sentence isn’t quite right. I would say something like: “At first glance, the equipment installation seems to have been successful” or “At first glance, the equipment seems to have been installed successfully”.
– Careful about the spelling of ‘installation’. – Notice how I use ‘successful’ or ‘successfully’ depending on whether I am describing a noun (the equipment installation) or a verb (installed). – I use “seems to have done sth” because I am talking about something in the past.
Please feel free to ask if any of this isn’t clear or you need any more examples 🙂
gabrielatalaverac
6 years ago
At first glance, all of them thought that I was under age until they heard my voice and saw my ID.
At first glance, equipment instalation seems it will be sucessfully. (Please check)
Hi Reyna!
The sentence isn’t quite right. I would say something like: “At first glance, the equipment installation seems to have been successful” or “At first glance, the equipment seems to have been installed successfully”.
– Careful about the spelling of ‘installation’.
– Notice how I use ‘successful’ or ‘successfully’ depending on whether I am describing a noun (the equipment installation) or a verb (installed).
– I use “seems to have done sth” because I am talking about something in the past.
Please feel free to ask if any of this isn’t clear or you need any more examples 🙂
At first glance, all of them thought that I was under age until they heard my voice and saw my ID.
Hi Gabriela! Perfect example, well done 🙂