a first are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first are" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a fragment or a typographical error, and it cannot be used in any context without clarification. Example: "This is a first are for our project" does not convey a clear meaning.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cameron says some female undergraduates on the borderline between a 2.1 and a first "are not getting the same attention that men of similar ability get from tutors".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Now only a third are.

The Economist

Roughly a third are Mexican.

The Economist

At least a third are now jobless.

The Economist

Nearly a third are in China alone.

The Economist

Perhaps a third are principled unionists.

The Economist

A third are homeless.

The New York Times

About a third are women.

The New York Times

UNICEF believes a third are children.

Unicef

Half-a-second is enough.

BBC

A second is Australia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a first are" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "a first is" or "the first ones are" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Ensure that the verb agrees in number with the subject. The incorrect phrase "a first are" arises from a mismatch between the singular subject "first" and the plural verb "are". Use the singular verb "is" instead: "a first is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first are" is intended to function as a descriptive phrase, identifying initial items or elements. However, due to subject-verb disagreement, as flagged by Ludwig AI, it fails to fulfill this function grammatically.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a first are" is grammatically incorrect due to a subject-verb disagreement. Ludwig AI identifies this issue clearly. While the intention might be to describe initial elements in a sequence, the incorrect grammar undermines effective communication. It's crucial to use grammatically sound alternatives, such as "a first is" or "the first ones are", especially in formal writing. The phrase's rarity and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a first is

Changes the plural verb "are" to the singular verb "is" to match the singular noun "first".

firsts are

Eliminates the article "a" and uses the plural noun "firsts", implying multiple achievements or occurrences.

the first are

Replaces "a" with "the", suggesting a specific group or set of items being referenced.

a beginning is

Substitutes "first" with "beginning" to convey the start of something in a singular form.

the initial ones are

Replaces "first" with "initial ones" for a more descriptive and plural reference.

the starting points are

Uses "starting points" instead of "first" to emphasize the concept of origins or commencement.

the foremost are

Replaces "first" with "foremost" to indicate importance or prominence rather than sequence.

a primary concern is

Shifts the focus to "primary concern" to highlight importance or a leading issue.

one initiative is

Replaces "first" with "initiative" in a singular form, implying a single action or project.

an early example is

Uses "early example" to indicate something that occurred at the beginning, rather than a numerical ranking.

FAQs

What is wrong with the phrase "a first are"?

The phrase "a first are" is grammatically incorrect because it uses a singular noun ("first") with a plural verb ("are"). The correct form would be "a first is".

How can I correct the phrase "a first are" in a sentence?

To correct the phrase "a first are", change it to "a first is" if referring to a single item or "the first ones are" if referring to multiple items.

What alternatives can I use instead of "a first are"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a first is", "the first ones are", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the issue altogether.

When would it be appropriate to use the phrase "a first are"?

It is generally not appropriate to use the phrase "a first are" in formal or grammatically correct writing. It's advisable to use correct alternatives like "a first is" or to restructure the sentence for clarity and correctness.