a first game of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first game of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial occurrence of a game or competition in a series or context. Example: "This will be a first game of the season, and we are all excited to see how the team performs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Despite their woes this season, the Mets managed a rare win in a first game of a trip, thanks to fine pitching by Jon Niese and Hisanori Takahashi, who stepped into the closer's role vacated by Rodriguez and earned his first save of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Yorkshire are without their prime spinner, Richard Dawson, who has a broken knuckle, but suspecting that the track might suit spin they gave a first game of the season to the 20-year-old David Wainwright, orthodox left-arm, in partnership with the leg-spinner Mark Lawson.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was even a seventh game of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Last night it came down to a seventh game of the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

We played them in pre-season – who the hell takes a third game of the pre-season like it's bullshit?

The Guardian - Sport

And rest easy, there is now a fifth "Game of Thrones" prequel in the works.

Huffington Post

WINTER ISN'T COMING FAST ENOUGH So now we get a fifth "Game of Thrones" spinoff.

Huffington Post

Blades manager Danny Wilson tells BBC Radio Sheffield: "It was a typical first game of the season.

BBC

The first 45 minutes was a typical first game of the season.

BBC

"We were great tonight, and we played well against a team in their first game of a long trip.

Los Angeles Times

"But it's a big game, a national television game, first game of the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's performance or strategy, use "a first game of" to set expectations or analyze initial approaches. For example: "A cautious approach is often seen in "a first game of" the season."

Common error

Avoid attributing too much importance to the outcome of "a first game of" a season. It's only one data point and doesn't necessarily predict future performance. For example, it is an error to assume: "Because they lost "a first game of" the season, they will have a bad season overall."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first game of" functions as a nominal modifier, specifying which game is being referred to in a series or competition. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in sports contexts. This phrase is typically followed by the context of the game (e.g., "a trip", "the season").

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first game of" serves to specify the opening game within a larger context, such as a season, tournament, or series. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, often in the context of sports reporting. Alternatives include "opening match", "inaugural game", and "season opener", each with slightly different connotations. It's important not to overstate the importance of this game, as its outcome doesn't guarantee the performance for an entire series or season. Ludwig AI indicates that it has a general meaning and can be applied to various sports or competitive events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initial game in a series

Focuses on the game's position within a series, highlighting its introductory nature.

Opening match of the season

Emphasizes the seasonal context of the game, indicating it starts the season.

Inaugural game of the tournament

Highlights the game's role as the first in a tournament.

First competition of the year

Broadens the context to any competition, not just games, specifying it's the year's first.

Debut match in a league

Specifies the game is a debut within a league context.

Opening contest of the playoffs

Refers to the first game specifically within a playoff scenario.

Start of a game

Simply denotes the commencement of a game, less specific.

Beginning of a match

Uses "match" instead of "game", indicating a slightly different event type.

The season opener

A shortened, more informal way to refer to the first game of the season.

The kickoff game

Applies more specifically to sports where a kickoff is used, like football.

FAQs

How can I use "a first game of" in a sentence?

You can use "a first game of" to refer to the initial match in a series or season, such as "The team is focusing on improving their strategy after "the first game of the season"".

What's a good alternative to "a first game of"?

Alternatives include "opening match", "inaugural game", or "season opener", depending on the context. For instance, instead of "a first game of the tournament", you could say "the opening match of the tournament".

Is it always necessary to specify the sport after "a first game of"?

No, it's not always necessary. If the context is clear, you can omit the sport. For example, if you're already discussing a baseball series, saying "a first game of" is sufficient. If not, consider "a first game of baseball".

What common mistakes should I avoid when using "a first game of"?

Avoid overstating the importance of the game's outcome. It's better to say, "The coach learned valuable lessons in "the opening game"" rather than "The entire season hinges on "the opening game"".