as first thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'as first thing' is correct and is a phrase that can be used in written English.
It means "immediately" or "first of all," and is usually followed by a verb. For example, "I checked my email as first thing this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A survey of works on paper produced by the composer in the decade or so before his death in 1992, this show is as clean and fresh as first thing in the morning, the time of day in which Cage, with his sweet-tempered Zen-ness, seemed perpetually to live.

The New York Times - Arts

This should lead to faster deployment and a more persistent desktop feel, even during peak access times, such as first thing in the morning.

TechCrunch

This way, a genetic cross started late in the afternoon was found to be perfectly poised for ascus dissection as first thing the following morning.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Do this well before the exam, such as first thing in the morning.

WikiHow

To minimize the chances of this, try collecting the sample when your dog has a full bladder, such as first thing in the morning.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Yet they, and indeed Benedict himself might be surprised to find that, as a post at First Things explains, he evidently has his admirers on the left.

The New York Times

Samantha, I can report, looks as horrified first thing in the morning as any woman would if they came down unmade-up to find a stranger in the kitchen.

Independent

During debriefing Cloudsley-Thompson said that he "never wished to see another tank as long as [he] lived" but the British press reported this as: "The first thing the five tank men asked for was another tank".

Wikipedia

Right at the moment, I guess we're definitely in the era of "do not take as read the first thing that people say to you".

Huffington Post

This information is presented succinctly to you either on a piece of paper as you enter the room or as the first thing you see on the EHR screen.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Yet she said she had a vision to one day become a police officer, characterizing it as "the first thing in my mind".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as first thing" to emphasize immediacy. For example, "As first thing, review the report to identify key areas needing attention."

Common error

Avoid using "as first thing" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "initially" or "primarily" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as first thing" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when an action should be performed. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct and provides examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

31%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as first thing" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the immediacy of an action. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare and leans towards informal contexts like news articles and how-to guides. It signals that something should be done with priority. Alternatives such as "first thing in the morning" or "before anything else" may be more suitable for formal settings. Overall, "as first thing" provides a direct way to indicate the initial action in a sequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first thing in the morning

Specifies the time of day when the action occurs, adding a temporal context that "as first thing" may lack.

before anything else

Emphasizes the precedence of an action over all others.

as the initial action

Emphasizes the order of events, clarifying that the action is the very first to be taken.

as the first order of business

Implies a formal or structured setting where actions are prioritized.

at the earliest opportunity

Focuses on timing, indicating the action is done as soon as possible.

to begin with

Highlights that something is the starting point, initiating a process or discussion.

as a priority

Highlights the importance of the action, showing it is given precedence.

as an opening move

Suggests a strategic initiation of a sequence of actions.

right off the bat

An informal expression meaning immediately or at the start.

at the crack of dawn

Indicates something happens very early in the morning, more specific than "as first thing".

FAQs

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

Use "as first thing" to indicate that an action should be done immediately or before anything else. For example, "As first thing, check your email for urgent messages."

What phrases are similar to "as first thing"?

Similar phrases include "first thing in the morning", "at the earliest opportunity", or "before anything else".

Is "as first thing" a formal expression?

No, "as first thing" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "initially" or "primarily".

Can "as first thing" always be replaced with "first thing in the morning"?

While "first thing in the morning" is a similar phrase, "as first thing" is not necessarily limited to the morning. It simply means as the initial action, regardless of the time of day.