As first thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As first thing" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate expression would be "As the first thing" or "First of all." Example: "As the first thing on our agenda, we need to discuss the budget for the upcoming project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A survey of works on paper produced by the composer in the decade or so before his death in 1992, this show is as clean and fresh as first thing in the morning, the time of day in which Cage, with his sweet-tempered Zen-ness, seemed perpetually to live.

The New York Times - Arts

This should lead to faster deployment and a more persistent desktop feel, even during peak access times, such as first thing in the morning.

TechCrunch

This way, a genetic cross started late in the afternoon was found to be perfectly poised for ascus dissection as first thing the following morning.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Do this well before the exam, such as first thing in the morning.

WikiHow

To minimize the chances of this, try collecting the sample when your dog has a full bladder, such as first thing in the morning.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Samantha, I can report, looks as horrified first thing in the morning as any woman would if they came down unmade-up to find a stranger in the kitchen.

Independent

During debriefing Cloudsley-Thompson said that he "never wished to see another tank as long as [he] lived" but the British press reported this as: "The first thing the five tank men asked for was another tank".

Wikipedia

Right at the moment, I guess we're definitely in the era of "do not take as read the first thing that people say to you".

Huffington Post

This information is presented succinctly to you either on a piece of paper as you enter the room or as the first thing you see on the EHR screen.

BMJ Quality and Safety

As it happens, I need not have bothered as the first thing out of his mouth was a joke and not a bad one at that (he said the government's Plan B was "Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis").

Independent

Yet she said she had a vision to one day become a police officer, characterizing it as "the first thing in my mind".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the start of an activity, use the grammatically correct phrase "first thing in the morning" or "as the first thing" instead of "as first thing".

Common error

Avoid using "as first thing" in formal writing. It's often perceived as grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "first thing in the morning" or restructure the sentence to use "as the first thing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as first thing" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to indicate the timing or order of an action. However, Ludwig AI shows that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with more standard alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as first thing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it's better to use alternatives like "as the first thing" or "first thing in the morning" to clearly and correctly convey the intended meaning. Although it appears in various sources, especially in News & Media and Wiki contexts, adhering to standard grammar practices will enhance clarity and credibility in your writing. Using these alternatives ensures effective communication across different registers, including formal and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

First thing in the morning

Indicates the very beginning of the day, similar to doing something "as first thing" but grammatically correct.

As the first order of business

Highlights an action taken at the start of a formal procedure or meeting.

To begin with

Signals the initiation of a sequence of actions or points.

Initially

Denotes the start of a process or period.

Firstly

Used to introduce the first point in a list or argument.

At the outset

Refers to the very beginning of a project or venture.

As a starting point

Suggests the initial action or consideration in a broader process.

Before anything else

Emphasizes the priority of an action over all others.

In the first instance

Highlights the initial action taken in a specific situation.

At first

Refers to what happens or is true at the beginning.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "as first thing"?

The correct way is to say "as the first thing" or "first thing in the morning". The phrase "as first thing" is not standard English.

What does "first thing in the morning" mean?

"First thing in the morning" means the very beginning of the day, typically immediately after waking up.

Is "as first thing" grammatically correct?

No, "as first thing" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Use "as the first thing" instead.

What are some alternatives to "as the first thing"?

Alternatives include "initially", "to begin with", or "firstly", depending on the context.