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At a first look At a first look
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Old 09-Jun-2006, 15:26
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Question At a first look
Hi,

Can I use the construction "At a first look, one could…" in formal (academic) writing?

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Nyggus
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Old 11-Jun-2006, 11:44
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Default Re: At a firs look
At first look- why not?
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Old 11-Jun-2006, 16:02
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Question Re: At a firs look
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
At first look- why not?
Why without an article? My language says 'look' is a countable noun.

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Nyggus
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Old 12-Jun-2006, 04:00
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Default Re: At a firs look
It's a generalisation- anybody's first look.
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Old 12-Jun-2006, 16:07
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Question Re: At a firs look
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
It's a generalisation- anybody's first look.
Does it mean that when one is talking about generalisation the indefinite article shouldn't be used? Could you give some other examples of this rule?

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Old 13-Jun-2006, 03:57
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Default Re: At a firs look
We just don't need the article:
At first glance
You could say 'a', but there's no real need to even when dealing with an isolated single glance/look.
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