as first to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as first to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to compare or indicate priority, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "He was recognized as first to arrive at the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

She sums up her aims for Lagos fashion and design as, first, to find aid for designers to develop their skills; then, to turn their focus beyond the runway to the commercial world; and, finally, always to keep that nugget of "Nigerian" that makes the work of these designers so special.

The New York Times

Modern, also called alternative, is the style that established itself as first to play new music.

The New York Times

He described the purpose of the discussions as, first, "to ensure they are satisfied that we're not distracted by this," and second, to get the message across that Andersen in Canada remains well capitalized and financially stable.

The New York Times

Since the patent system was overseen by Thomas Jefferson, the United States has awarded ownership of an innovation to whoever created the first prototype, a policy known as "first to invent".

The New York Times - Tech

No matter what threat is raised, no matter what pressure is wielded, no matter what maneuver is tried by another state, he said he would not give way on what he described as the principal charge of his office: protecting the sanctity of New Hampshire's status as first to hold a full-fledged primary.

The New York Times

There were high hopes for Humperdinck - affectionately known as "The Hump" - given his huge global fanbase, but his draw as first to sing in the contest seemingly proved detrimental.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Johann Jungwirth, president & CEO, MBRDNA commented, "Once again Mercedes-Benz demonstrates its technological leadership with this product as first-to-market integration of Pandora Internet Radio by an automotive OEM.

TechCrunch

Fetal testosterone levels, measured as second-to-fourth digit length ratio, interacted significantly with parahippocampal activity and tended towards giving higher mental rotation task scores.

Behavioural Brain Research

As third to go, the Olympic champion Leslie Law, who was 40 yesterday, was not so lucky.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems there is genuinely good reason for viewing the first meal of the day as second to none.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Johnson acted as second to various fighters around the period of his rise and fall.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For improved clarity, use "as the first to" instead of "as first to". This enhances grammatical correctness and readability.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" before "first". The phrase "as first to" is grammatically incorrect and sounds awkward. Always use "as the first to" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as first to" is generally used to indicate precedence or priority. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that the inclusion of the article "the" would significantly improve grammatical correctness. It attempts to function as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as first to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI recommends using ""as the first to"" instead. While the intended meaning involves indicating precedence or priority, the missing article affects its clarity and correctness. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing, it's best to use the corrected form or alternative phrases such as "being the first to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being the first to

Replaces "as" with "being", emphasizing the state of being the first.

as the first one to

Adds "one" for additional clarity and emphasis.

being first in line to

Specifies the context as being in a line or sequence.

establishing precedence in

Uses more formal language to denote establishing a prior claim.

taking the lead in

Focuses on initiating or guiding an action or process.

initiating the process of

Highlights the act of starting a process or activity.

pioneering the way for

Emphasizes innovation and paving the way for others.

leading the charge in

Suggests taking an aggressive or proactive role.

setting the standard for

Highlights establishing a benchmark or expectation.

introducing the concept of

Focuses on introducing a new idea or concept.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "as first to" in a sentence?

The phrase "as first to" is grammatically incorrect. A correct alternative is "as the first to". For example, instead of "He was recognized as first to arrive", use "He was recognized "as the first to" arrive".

What can I say instead of "as first to"?

You can use alternatives like "being the first to", "as the first one to", or "taking the lead in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as first to" or "as the first to"?

"As the first to" is the correct phrase. "As first to" omits the necessary article "the" making it grammatically incorrect.

How can I ensure my writing is clear when indicating priority or sequence?

To ensure clarity, always use grammatically correct phrases such as ""as the first to"" or "being the first to". Avoid omitting articles or using ambiguous phrasing.