Firstly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'Firstly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce or list the first point in a series or sequence of points. For example: Firstly, I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight. Secondly, I'd like to address the issues we discussed earlier.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Firstly to highlight what are the factors that link successful women, but also to give a voice to women of colour.

The Guardian

Firstly, run these commands to let Travis CI know your password.

The Guardian

Firstly, the rules against making threats have been tightened up.

The Guardian - Tech

Brett Pitman could not take advantage after Teddy Bishop had inadvertently put the ball in his path and that was followed by two smart saves from Bartosz Bialkowski, firstly from Ryan Fraser and then swooping to his right to deny Ritchie's 30-yarder.

The Guardian - Sport

"These are, firstly, the difficulty of identifying clearly the hand of a hostile state government in the subversive destabilising effects they bring to bear in the early stages of such a strategy," he said.

The Guardian

Firstly, because a great many first-time sufferers might not suspect that relief can come from books as well as boxes of pills.

The Guardian

She has reascended through the Labour ranks since Ed Miliband was elected as party leader, firstly as shadow communities and local government secretary before moving to her current energy and climate change brief.

The Guardian

"It's well known that the reason that women drink when they are pregnant is firstly because they don't know that it could harm the foetus, but also the stresses of life in this community".

The Guardian

Firstly Sandra Bullock explained to your mum how the world wide web worked in hit thriller The Net, and then Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie hoped to appeal to the yoof crowd with the aggressively over-styled Hackers.

The Guardian - Film

The authors start with ghosts, firstly explaining that the "cold chills" often experienced in haunted houses are actually just a result of poor insulation (no EU building regs in the olden days), and secondly noting the rather amusing paradox that ghosts are often portrayed as walking, despite having no physical body.

The Guardian

Firstly – I want them to think about what they can do give our country an even greater global profile.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Firstly" to clearly signal the start of a list or sequence of arguments, ensuring a structured and organized presentation of information. Follow it with "Secondly", "Thirdly", etc., for subsequent points.

Common error

Avoid using "Firstly" without a corresponding "Secondly" or subsequent enumerations. If you only have one point, it's better to simply state it without using "Firstly".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Firstly" is as a discourse marker, specifically an enumerative adverb. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to introduce the initial point in a sequence of arguments or actions, providing structure and clarity to the discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Firstly" is a grammatically correct and very common adverb used to introduce the first item in a sequence or list. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. When using "Firstly", ensure that you follow it with subsequent enumerations like "Secondly" and "Thirdly" to maintain consistency. If you are looking for alternatives, consider "First of all" or "To begin with". Overall, "Firstly" is a useful tool for organizing and presenting information in a structured manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

First of all

This alternative is a more common and slightly less formal way to introduce the first point.

First and foremost

This alternative emphasizes the priority and importance of the initial point.

To start with

This alternative is a straightforward way to introduce the initial point.

To begin with

This alternative emphasizes the commencement of a discussion or list.

Initially

This alternative focuses on the temporal aspect of being the first in a sequence.

Before anything else

This alternative highlights the precedence of the initial point over other considerations.

In the first place

This alternative highlights the priority or initial consideration of a point.

At the outset

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the starting point of a plan or project.

Primarily

This alternative emphasizes the importance or main aspect of the point.

In the beginning

This alternative is more suitable when referring to the start of a process or story.

FAQs

How to use "Firstly" in a sentence?

"Firstly" is used to introduce the first point in a series. For example: "Firstly, we need to address the budget; secondly, we'll discuss the marketing strategy.

What can I say instead of "Firstly"?

You can use alternatives like "First of all", "To begin with", or "In the first place" depending on the context.

Is it necessary to use "Secondly" after "Firstly"?

Yes, "Firstly" implies that there will be at least a "Secondly". If you only have one point, it's better to avoid using "Firstly" altogether.

What's the difference between "Firstly" and "First"?

"Firstly" is an adverb used to introduce the initial point in a list or argument. "First" can be an adjective, adverb, or noun. While "First" can sometimes replace "Firstly", "Firstly" is more specific to enumeration.