an early one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an early one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event, occurrence, or item that happens or is available at an earlier time than others. Example: "I prefer to schedule an early one for our meeting to ensure we have enough time to discuss everything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

For UK viewers it is an early one, or late one, 00 30 GMT on Friday, and the match can also be seen on the BBC website.

BBC

When you had a game.. Or, let's make this an early one: The Kentucky Derby was raced on Saturday.

HuffPost

Plan to wait in line at lunchtime, and bring your cash — no credit cards — and don't plan on dinner, unless it's an early one.

The New York Times - Travel

Thursday's launch is very much an early one – it's "rough around the edges," according to Byttow on Product Hunt.

TechCrunch

It wasn't an errant whistle, just an early one.

The New Yorker

But I think this, an early one, is the most effective.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It represented a vote of confidence in Darlow and he responded with an early one-on-one block from Benteke.

The Guardian - Sport

MIT's Luke D. Tomycz '02 jumped out to an early one-set lead with an array of aggressive shots.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Orioles left runners in scoring position the last four innings, failing to erase an early one-run deficit before a three-run home run off Josh Lucas in the eighth inning put the game out of touch.

The Washington Post

While Stack Overflow did hold an early one-day version of DevDays back in 2009, Spolsky tells me that this time they mean business.

TechCrunch

Donaldson, 38, and Westwood, playing in his ninth Ryder Cup, sat out the first session before fighting back from an early one-hole deficit in the afternoon.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an early one", ensure the context clearly establishes what "one" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple instances of "an early one" in a single, complex sentence. This can make your writing sound repetitive and convoluted. Opt for varied phrasing to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an early one" functions as a noun phrase where "early" acts as an adjective modifying "one". The word "one" serves as a pronoun, replacing a previously mentioned noun to avoid repetition. Ludwig examples show its flexibility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an early one" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to denote something occurring or being available sooner than expected. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with notable presence in scientific and academic writing as well. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is crucial to ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and to maintain clarity in writing. While commonly used, over-repetition should be avoided to maintain a high level of writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a premature occurrence

Emphasizes that the event happened before it was due or expected.

a prompt instance

Highlights the quickness and immediacy of the event.

a prior occasion

Focuses on the event happening before another specific event or time.

a timely start

Suggests the event began at an opportune or suitable moment.

an initial attempt

Refers specifically to the first try or effort in a series.

a foregoing event

Indicates an event that precedes another in time or sequence.

an advanced stage

Implies that the event or item is ahead of the usual progression.

an expedited version

Suggests that something was made faster or sooner than the standard process.

a head start

Implies an advantage gained by beginning something early.

an inaugural phase

Highlights the beginning or commencement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an early one" in a sentence?

You can use "an early one" to refer to something that happens or is available sooner than expected. For example, "He got "an early one" and that always sets you up."

What are some alternatives to "an early one"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a premature occurrence", "a prompt instance", or "a prior occasion".

Is it correct to say "an early one"?

Yes, "an early one" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It simply means something that is early, with "one" standing in for a noun that has already been identified or is easily understood from context.

When is it appropriate to use "an early one" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "an early one" when you want to refer back to a noun or event that has already been mentioned and emphasize that it is happening or was done sooner than usual. Ensure the context makes the reference clear to avoid ambiguity.