always come first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always come first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the importance of prioritizing something over other considerations. Example: "In our family, love and support always come first, no matter the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They'll always come first.

The New Yorker

"Music should always come first.

The New York Times - Arts

Its motto is "Friends always come first".

The New Yorker

Their well-being must always come first.

The New Yorker

"Practicality will always come first".

The New York Times - Travel

Fashion has always come first at Fossil.

The New York Times

For Walker, the lyrics always come first.

The Guardian - Music

Nice guys don't always come first.

The Guardian

Because the words have always come first".

The New York Times - Arts

The race itself must always come first.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If there are any kids involved, they should - and hopefully will always - come first.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always come first" to clearly communicate your priorities and ensure that the most important aspects are addressed before others.

Common error

While "always come first" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "take precedence" or "are paramount" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always come first" functions as a modifier, typically within a clause, to emphasize the importance of something over other considerations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "always come first" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is a top priority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "take precedence" or "are paramount" may be more appropriate for academic or professional writing. When using "always come first", ensure clarity in communicating your priorities and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take priority

Replaces the verb "come" with "take" and uses the noun "priority" to emphasize importance.

take precedence

Uses a more formal term, "precedence", indicating a higher rank or order.

are paramount

Emphasizes the supreme importance of something using the adjective "paramount".

are the highest priority

Directly states that something is the most important thing to consider.

are the main concern

Focuses on something being the primary issue or worry.

are of utmost importance

Highlights the extreme significance of something.

should be prioritized

Suggests that something needs to be given precedence over other things.

are at the forefront

Implies that something is in the leading position or at the front of attention.

outweigh everything else

Highlights that something is more important than anything else.

are preeminent

Indicates that something surpasses all others in importance or excellence.

FAQs

How can I use "always come first" in a sentence?

You can use "always come first" to indicate what is most important or should be prioritized. For example, "Safety should "always come first" when operating heavy machinery."

What's a more formal way to say "always come first"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "take precedence" or "are paramount" instead of "always come first."

Is it correct to say "will always come first"?

Yes, "will always come first" is grammatically correct and implies a future commitment to prioritizing something. For example, "My family "always come first", and they always will."

What's the difference between "always come first" and "are the top priority"?

"Always come first" implies a chronological order and importance, while "are the top priority" emphasizes the level of importance. Both are used to highlight what matters most, but "always come first" also suggests timing.