as a first priority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a first priority" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something should be done first before anything else. For example, "We should focus on customer satisfaction as a first priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Recreational cycling and professional cycle tours have prompted cycle components and accessories to be designed with drag reduction as a first priority.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

He also stressed that he would want to maintain employment for people in the defence industry, who would be involved in building Trident submarines, as a "first priority".

The Guardian

"Be assured the government wants to get particularly women and children out as a first priority from Nauru – we're working on that".

The Guardian

Victor Yuan, who established China's first private polling firm, said average Chinese cite "enforcement of the rule of law" as a first priority for reform.

The Washington Post

Further, plastic fragments on the beach should be targeted as a first priority for prevention (and cleanup) of marine litter with plastic bottle caps being a high priority to be targeted among plastics.

Waste Management

Rob Wyman, a Coast Guard spokesman, said the agency's three local helicopter crews were concentrating on medical emergencies as a first priority for air evacuation, leaving many others stranded.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

As a third priority he listed land reform -- but done lawfully, not in the Mugabe way with mobs occupying white-owned farms.

The New York Times

As a second priority, he needs to make clear that he thanks the trade unions for their support, but recognises that they are a special interest group like any other.

The Economist

As a third priority area, the implementation of technological measures was identified.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

John Lipscomb, for example, of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, says it's important that candidates avoid presenting teaching "as a second priority".

Science Magazine

Another 17.6percentt of libraries indicated Indo-European languages as a second priority.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a first priority" to clearly communicate the order in which tasks or issues should be addressed. This ensures that the most critical items receive immediate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "as a first priority" excessively, as it can dilute its impact. Reserve it for truly critical items to maintain its effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a first priority" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the order or importance of an action or consideration. Ludwig highlights this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a first priority" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the importance and order of an action. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the provided examples illustrate its wide applicability. To enhance clarity and impact, use this phrase judiciously and consider related alternatives depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Top priority

A shorter, more direct way to express that something should receive immediate attention.

Number one priority

More explicit about the ranking of importance.

First and foremost

Adds emphasis by combining "first" with "foremost" but can be slightly redundant.

Of utmost importance

Focuses on the supreme level of importance rather than the order of action.

Paramount

Implies that something is supreme or dominant in importance.

As the most important thing

Emphasizes importance but is less concise and lacks the sense of urgency.

Above all else

Highlights priority by setting it apart from all other considerations.

Foremost

More concise and formal, placing emphasis on the item being first in sequence or importance.

Principally

Focuses on the main reason or aspect, not necessarily the timing of actions.

As an initial step

Focuses on the sequence of actions rather than the relative importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a first priority" to indicate the most important task or action to be addressed. For example, "Ensuring customer safety should be treated "as a first priority"".

What are some alternatives to "as a first priority"?

Some alternatives include "top priority", "most important", or "above all else", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "highest first priority"?

Yes, using "highest first priority" is generally redundant because "first priority" already implies the highest level of importance. It's better to simply use ""top priority"" or "first priority".

When is it appropriate to use "as a first priority"?

It's appropriate to use "as a first priority" when you want to emphasize that a particular action or task should be given immediate and primary attention over others. This is useful in project management, emergency response, and strategic planning.