as a first point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a first point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce the initial argument or consideration in a discussion or list of points. Example: "As a first point, we need to address the budget constraints before moving on to other issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The successful candidate will serve as a first point of contact for faculty, postdocs, grad students, and research staff to understand their research and facilitate access to computing resources that might best support their research.

University of California, Berkeley

Please note that the key contact listed above would not necessarily supervise the relevant PhD but is suggested as a first point of contact for potential applicants for each scholarship and will be able to advise on potential supervisors.

Columbia University

Domain Consultants serve as a first point of contact for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and research staff to understand their research and facilitate access to computing resources that will best support their research.

University of California, Berkeley

"With no skills they are making $12.50 an hour," said Brodrick Ross, a workforce specialist at the state-run Texas Workforce Commission, that acts as a first point of contact for low-skilled workers looking for employment.

The Guardian

Yet that's just what the president, Rich Umbdenstock, said in response to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the quality of care at Critical Access Hospitals, almost all of which are small, rural hospitals that serve as a first point of access to emergency care for the 20percentt of Americans who live in rural areas.

Stanford University

"Our risk assessments, the way we do our targeting, the way we conduct our operations, particularly in a counter-insurgency, is focused almost exclusively as a first point on 'Let's not get this wrong, let's not have any civilian casualties, let's stay focused on the task'.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

And as a third point, in most classes students are unmotivated and act as passive listeners.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

I would describe my views as a third point on the triangle".

The New Yorker

After initially describing Udrih as a "third point guard," Woodson corrected himself: "He's one of our point guards".

The New York Times - Sports

To hold its own as a fourth point added to the art triangle with a relatively small exhibition space, it will need to focus on quality.

The Guardian - Travel

The first state of the plane can be thought of as a point in three-dimensional space — A, B, C — and the desired course correction — X, Y, Z — as a second point.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a first point", ensure that subsequent points are also clearly signaled (e.g., "secondly", "thirdly") to maintain consistency and clarity.

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with transitional phrases like "as a first point". Vary your sentence structure to keep your writing engaging and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a first point" functions as an adverbial phrase. It introduces an initial idea, argument, or consideration within a sequence or list. It serves to structure information in a clear and organized manner, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

37%

Academia

37%

News & Media

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a first point" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce the initial item in a sequence of arguments or considerations. Ludwig indicates it functions as an adverbial phrase, primarily serving to structure information clearly. While versatile, it trends towards neutral to formal registers, with frequent appearances in academic and scientific writing. When using "as a first point", ensure subsequent points are signaled for consistency. For less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "to begin with" or "initially".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with

Highlights the act of starting a discussion or enumeration.

as a starting point

Frames the statement as a place to begin from.

to start with

Similar to "to begin with", focusing on the commencement.

as an initial step

Replaces "point" with "step", indicating a procedure or course of action.

firstly

Emphasizes order and sequence in a list of items.

at the outset

Implies starting from the very beginning, setting the stage.

in the first place

Stresses priority and fundamental importance.

initially

Focuses on the start or beginning, removing the structured "point" aspect.

initially speaking

An informal alternative to starting off a discussion.

primarily

Highlights the chief or principal aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "as a first point" in a sentence?

You can use "as a first point" to introduce the initial argument or consideration in a discussion or list. For example, "As a first point, we need to address the budget constraints."

What can I say instead of "as a first point"?

You can use alternatives like "to begin with", "firstly", or "as an initial step" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "as a first point" and then not follow up with a second point?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "as a first point" implies there will be subsequent points. If there is only one point, it's better to use a phrase like "initially" or "to start with".

What's the difference between "as a first point" and "first of all"?

"As a first point" is more formal and often used in structured arguments, while "first of all" is more conversational and can be used to introduce a general statement or reason.