initially

/ɪˈnɪʃəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnɪʃəli/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē/ (ame, mw)

initially — adverb

1. used to describe what happens or is true at the start of a period, process, or a

1.副詞B2
釋義

used to describe what happens or is true at the start of a period, process, or activity, especially when things later change

例句

Initially, Aiko was nervous about moving to a new country, but she soon made friends.

sentence-initial position with comma; contrast pattern with 'but'

The company initially planned to open three stores, but later decided on just one.

pre-verbal position modifying past tense verb phrase

同義詞
  • at first

    more conversational; preferred in everyday speech and informal writing

  • originally

    emphasises the original state or plan before a change occurred

  • to begin with

    slightly more informal; common in spoken narratives

反義詞
  • eventually

    focuses on the final outcome after some time has passed

  • finally

    emphasises the last stage in a series of changes or events

文法句型

Initially, [clause]

[subject] initially [verb phrase]

initially + [adjective]

用法筆記

Often used with a contrasting clause that shows a later change — the most common patterns are 'initially… but…' and 'initially… however…'. It is not used for listing steps (use 'first' or 'firstly' instead).

常見錯誤

❌Initially, I will talk about costs, and then about profits.
✅First, I will talk about costs, and then about profits.
💡'Initially' implies a change later on, not a sequence of items.