a first session of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first session of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial meeting or gathering in a series of sessions, such as in educational or therapeutic contexts. Example: "We will begin with a first session of group therapy next week to establish trust among participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That compares with a first session of £2.22m for its predecessor exactly three years ago.

The Guardian - Film

Lilting's tally of £39,200 from 28 screens compares with a very similar debut of £35,400 from 24 cinemas for 2014's earlier gay-themed hit, Stranger by the Lake, and with a first session of £30,500 from 11 cinemas for 2011 similarly-aimed smash Weekend.

The Guardian - Film

The election of the legislators and their meeting at a first session of a people's congress appeared to be practical steps to show that China was serious in its drive to put much of the South China Sea under its domain.

The New York Times

Following the initial assessment session, participants in the imagery and non-imagery conditions completed the outcome measures (pre-treatment), followed by a first session of the relevant CBM-I program.

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A second session of talks was scheduled later on Saturday.

The Guardian

A third session of the mass political trial was set to begin Sunday morning, with 25 new defendants, Press TV reported.

The New York Times

The United States and Iran held a third session of talks on Iraq on Monday, at the first meeting of a new security subcommittee to discuss ways of restoring stability to Iraq.

The New York Times

Treasuries Are Mixed (By Reuters) -- Treasury bond prices mostly fell yesterday after investors showed little interest in a sale of benchmark 10-year notes, dragging down prices even as most stocks suffered a second session of losses.

The New York Times

Just as we were consoling ourselves about restoring pride and giving Liverpool a run for their money, with a minute to go, a third session of pinball ended in Andy Gray nodding in an equaliser.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus, a second session of treatment was avoided in 31.1 % of patients.

Insights into Imaging

Thus, a second session of treatment was spared in 29/93 (31.1 %) patients.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a first session of", ensure it is clear that there will be subsequent sessions. Provide context about the overall series or program.

Common error

Avoid using "a first session of" if it's a standalone event. The phrase implies a series of related sessions, so use a more general term like "an initial meeting" if there are no follow-ups.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first session of" functions as a noun phrase identifying the initial meeting or gathering in a series. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used to denote the commencement of a program, therapy, or course.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a first session of" is grammatically sound and serves to designate the initial meeting within a series, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct, it’s essential to ensure context implies follow-up sessions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "an initial meeting of" or "the opening session of" can offer nuanced variations, but the core meaning remains consistent: the commencement of a planned sequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial meeting of

Replaces "session" with a synonym emphasizing the introductory nature of the gathering.

the inaugural session of

Uses "inaugural" to highlight the formal commencement of a series.

the opening meeting of

Emphasizes the start or beginning of a series of meetings.

the kickoff session for

Uses a more informal term, "kickoff", to denote the start of an activity or program.

the preliminary session of

Highlights the exploratory or preparatory nature of the initial meeting.

the introductory class of

Specifically refers to the first class in a series of educational sessions.

the first appointment for

Replaces session with appointment, suitable when referring to medical or professional services.

the initial consultation regarding

Highlights the advisory or consultative nature of the first meeting.

the starting point of

Focuses on the concept of beginning, applicable when a series is implied.

the commencement of

A formal alternative that emphasizes the act of beginning an event or series of events.

FAQs

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

You can use "a first session of" to refer to the initial meeting in a series of gatherings. For example: "The therapist scheduled "a first session of" cognitive behavioral therapy for the patient."

What can I say instead of "a first session of"?

You can use alternatives like "an initial meeting of", "the opening meeting of", or "the preliminary session of" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a first session of"?

While "first session" is often sufficient, adding "a first session of" can emphasize that it's part of a structured series or program. The added preposition is useful when more information comes after, such as ""a first session of" group therapy".

What is the difference between "a first session of" and "a second session of"?

"A first session of" refers to the very beginning, while "a second session of" implies a continuation or follow-up from a prior initial meeting.