In the first days

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the first days" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time at the beginning of something, such as a journey, project, or event. For example, "In the first days of the sci-fi convention, we saw the debut of three new films."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the first days, the choice was clear.

The New York Times - Style

In the first days after birth it can be dangerous.

The New York Times

In the first days of the crisis, coroner Robert Treuting saw five suicides in three days.

The Washington Post

In the first days and months, this love felt like a curse.

The Washington Post

In the first days and weeks, they were in critical condition, but they made steady progress.

The Washington Post

In the first days after Ms. Almontaser resigned, she felt numb, she said.

The New York Times

In the first days of the calamity, people lined up on West Street and applauded.

The New York Times

In the first days after the attack, people filed in to eat.

The New York Times

In the first days after I move in, I read books on garden design.

The New Yorker

In the first days at Nugra Salman, "thirty people died, maybe more".

The New Yorker

In the first days after the catastrophe, everybody struggled to understand what happened.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events immediately following a specific occurrence, use "in the first days" to provide a clear temporal context. For instance, "In the first days after the launch, the product experienced high demand."

Common error

Avoid using "in the first days" when referring to events spanning several weeks or months. The phrase implies a short duration immediately following a starting point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the first days" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action or event occurred. It indicates a timeframe shortly after a specific starting point. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the first days" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase, generally considered correct and usable in written English. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is often used to define a period shortly after a start or event, providing a temporal context. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for various writing styles. While similar phrases like "at the beginning" or "in the early stages" exist, "in the first days" specifies a more immediate timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In the opening days

Uses a synonym for "first", keeping the time frame specific to days.

In the initial period

Replaces "days" with a more general term "period", slightly broadening the timeframe.

At the beginning

A shorter, more concise way of expressing the initial phase.

In the early stages

Focuses on the developmental aspect of the initial period.

Shortly after

Emphasizes the temporal proximity to a starting point.

From the start

Focuses on the very beginning of something, perhaps even more immediate than "in the first days".

Immediately following

Highlights the direct succession after an event.

In the immediate aftermath

Often used to describe the period directly after a significant or traumatic event.

At the outset

A formal way to indicate the commencement or beginning.

In the dawning days

More poetic and evocative, suggesting a new beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "in the first days" in a sentence?

Use "in the first days" to describe events or conditions occurring shortly after a specific event or beginning. For example, "In the first days of the project, we focused on planning and resource allocation."

What's a synonym for "in the first days"?

Alternatives include "at the beginning", "in the early stages", or "shortly after", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the first day" instead of "in the first days"?

While grammatically sound, "in the first day" refers to a single specific day. "In the first days" refers to a period of multiple days immediately following a start.

How does "in the first days" differ from "in the early days"?

"In the first days" typically refers to a more immediate period after a start, whereas "in the early days" can encompass a slightly longer timeframe, encompassing the initial phase but not necessarily immediately following the start.