First instance on record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "First instance on record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the earliest documented occurrence of something. Example: "The first instance on record of this species being spotted was in 1820."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One was the baptism of Manteo who, in accordance with Raleigh's instructions, was christened Lord of Roanoke and Dasamonguepeuk "in reward of his faithful service". This ceremony occurred on August 13 , 1587 and is the first instance on record of a Christian service by English Protestants within the boundaries of the United States.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Battle commences in Brussels' Court of First Instance on Thursday.

BBC

Effective enforcement depends in the first instance on the Judiciary.

Huffington Post

The American National Transportation Safety Board says it was the first instance of snoring recorded on a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR).

Wikipedia

The letter was not the first instance of Treasury officials' going on record about the enterprises, although its tone and content was milder than previous skirmishes.

The New York Times

The first instance of the page recorded by the Internet Archive dates a little bit later, to February 2015.

The Washington Post

Kim is also, I would say, a visionary and has a long track record of backing startups which on first instance look crazy.

TechCrunch

* Although Grandmaster Flash's seminal The Message is the first record to exhibit hip-hop scratching, some credit Creedence Clearwater Revival and their 1968 song Walk On the Water as the first instance of a scratching-type turntable sound effect on a record.

The Guardian - Music

However, the data are only accurate within the limitations of the coding system, which is likely to be dependent on the accuracy of the data in the medical records and the recognition of ADR in the first instance by the patient's physician writing the record.

Plosone

In first instance modeling was based on the lumping of the components and the reaction network.

Catalysis Today

For instance, on this record, the first one, "Caminos," was pretty much all written out by Antonio; on the other hand, "Jane Fonda," I just wrote the lead sheet for the tune and then we played it and then we came up with the format and the choice of what to do for an ending and so on.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "First instance on record", ensure that the 'record' refers to an official or reliable source, such as documented history or a verified database. This adds credibility to the statement.

Common error

Avoid claiming "First instance on record" without thorough verification. New evidence may surface, proving earlier occurrences, undermining the claim's validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "First instance on record" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or appositive to identify the earliest known or documented occurrence of an event or phenomenon. Ludwig provides examples showing it used to establish historical precedents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Academia

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "First instance on record" is a noun phrase used to denote the earliest known or documented occurrence of something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in overall usage. While it appears across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news, academic, and science domains, implying a tendency towards more formal and well-documented discussions. When using the phrase, it is crucial to verify the accuracy of the claim and cite credible sources to support the assertion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earliest documented case

This alternative emphasizes the presence of documentation supporting the event's occurrence.

first documented occurrence

Similar to 'earliest documented case', but highlights the event itself being recorded.

initial recorded instance

Very similar to the original, with 'initial' replacing 'first'.

first known example

Focuses on the event being an example, and that it is known.

original recorded case

Highlights the uniqueness of the event, emphasizing its originality.

first case on file

Emphasizes the fact that the case is officially registered.

initial occurrence on record

This inverts the order of the original phrase while retaining its core meaning.

the first evidence of

This alternative focuses on proof or confirmation of an event.

the debut record of

This alternative implies the beginning of a series of events.

pioneer instance

Pioneer suggests a groundbreaking or innovative first event.

FAQs

How can I use "First instance on record" in a sentence?

You can use "First instance on record" to highlight the earliest known occurrence of something. For example, "The first instance on record of a heart transplant was in 1967."

What are some alternatives to "First instance on record"?

Alternatives include "earliest documented case", "initial recorded instance", or "first known example". Each of these options, like "earliest documented case", places a slightly different emphasis on the documentation or knowledge of the event.

Is it always accurate to claim something as the "First instance on record"?

While the phrase implies certainty, it's important to acknowledge that records may be incomplete or new evidence may emerge. Use the phrase cautiously and cite your sources.

What's the difference between "First instance on record" and "First recorded instance"?

The phrases are very similar. "First instance on record" emphasizes that an event has been formally noted, while "First recorded instance", such as in "initial recorded instance", more directly points to the event being written down or registered.