a first born child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first born child" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first child born to a set of parents, often in discussions about family dynamics or birth order. Example: "As a first born child, I often felt the pressure to set a good example for my younger siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The birth weight of a first born child is also more likely to be reported than that of a non first born child, holding other factors constant.

Health Economics Review

Likewise, having a first born child with cerebral palsy reduced a mother's probability of having a second child by 23%.

British Medical Journal

Thus, having a first born child with cerebral palsy reduced the chance of having a subsequent child by 7% (relative risk 0.93, 0.89 to 0.96).

British Medical Journal

However, the 40% higher risk of admission for a first born child in the fully adjusted model (model C), is higher than what one would expect according to previous knowledge on morbidity and mortality associated with first delivery.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Birth to a first born child was associated with increased likelihood of transfer (relative risk (RR) 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.5), while the likelihood was reduced (RR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9 0.3-0.9he father had no education.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Multiparous mothers face greater time constraints in caring for multiple children and a second born child may be less likely to cause the same maternal anxiety and sense of novelty as compared with a firstborn [ 57].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A boy, the first born child of unrelated parents, was noted to have oligoamnios as well as foetal growth retardation.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Boasting rare elements such as black truffles and a fried quail egg, some folks would give up their first born child for a taste of such extravagance.

Huffington Post

First born child 1 if child is first born; 0 otherwise.

Health Economics Review

Reference group: first born child.

BMC Cancer

Reference group: * = first born child, ** = one-child families.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase in research, define it explicitly to avoid ambiguity, especially in cross-cultural contexts where family structures may vary.

Common error

Be careful not to use "a first born child" when referring to an only child. "A first born child" implies there are subsequent children, while an only child has no siblings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first born child" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the first offspring of parents. It can act as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first born child" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood term used to refer to the first offspring of a set of parents. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While it appears frequently in scientific and news media contexts, its usage is generally neutral. When discussing birth order, ensure you're not confusing "a first born child" with an only child, as the former implies subsequent siblings. Alternatives include "first child", "eldest child", and "oldest child". Remember, while some studies suggest correlations between birth order and personality traits, individual experiences play a significant role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first child

Omits the article 'a' and 'born', focusing on the order.

firstborn

Uses a single word to represent the concept, a more concise option.

eldest child

Replaces 'first born' with 'eldest', emphasizing seniority within the family.

oldest child

Uses 'oldest' instead of 'eldest', which is also a common synonym.

the first child in the family

Adds context, making it explicitly clear there are other children.

initial offspring

Uses more formal vocabulary, like 'offspring' and 'initial'.

first issue

Employs the term 'issue' to denote offspring in a formal register.

first creation

Emphasizes the act of giving birth. Somewhat poetic or dramatic.

first addition to the family

Highlights the family's growth with the arrival of the first child.

the primary descendant

Focuses on lineage and ancestry using formal language.

FAQs

What is another way to say "a first born child"?

You can use alternatives like "first child", "eldest child", or "oldest child", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a first born child"?

Yes, "a first born child" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to the first child in a family. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What are the typical characteristics associated with "a first born child"?

While generalizations should be avoided, studies often suggest that "first born children" may exhibit traits such as higher achievement orientation or a tendency towards leadership, but these are not definitive.

How does birth order, specifically being "a first born child", influence personality?

Research suggests that birth order can influence personality traits, but it's not a deterministic factor. Family dynamics, parenting styles, and individual experiences also play significant roles. Further, the impact of being "a first born child" may vary across different cultures.