as the earliest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the earliest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is the first or among the first in a particular context or timeline. Example: "The discovery of the ancient artifact was significant, as the earliest evidence of human civilization in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Freedom must be defended as soon as the earliest signs of a threat to it appear.

The New Yorker

Prior to this, the oldest feather belonged to archaeopteryx, also recognized as the earliest bird.

The New York Times

He looked the word up in the O.E.D., which gave 1970 as the earliest known use.

The New York Times - Books

The writer says they are accepted as the earliest known eastern-slope people.

The New Yorker

The two papers can be seen only as the earliest casualties.

The Guardian - Opinion

That leaves Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche as the earliest possible return date for Crosby.

The New York Times - Sports

In 2001 these fossils were described as the earliest known hominin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

August is spoken of as the earliest date for this sort of success, hurricanes permitting.

The Economist

Homo erectus is known as the earliest hominid to leave Africa and make its way across Asia.

The Guardian

H. erectus is known as the earliest hominid to leave Africa and make its way across Asia.

The New York Times - Science

Sources said the meeting was arranged last year as the earliest possible date that the two could meet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as the earliest" to emphasize temporal precedence or when highlighting the initial stages of a development, discovery, or process.

Common error

Avoid using "as the earliest" when a simple "first" or "initial" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. Ask yourself if the added emphasis on 'earliness' is truly necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the earliest" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier within a prepositional phrase. It is used to specify the initial or first occurrence of something within a given context or timeline. Ludwig AI examples validate this use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as the earliest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize the temporal precedence or initial occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival modifier, frequently appearing in news, media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, writers should avoid redundancy and ensure the phrase's use adds meaningful emphasis. Alternatives like "at the beginning" or "initially" can be suitable substitutes in certain situations. This phrase is observed and validated by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially

A simpler adverbial form conveying the same meaning of 'at first'.

at the beginning

Focuses on the starting point rather than explicitly stating it's the 'earliest'.

in the initial phase

Emphasizes the introductory stage of a process or event.

from the outset

Indicates the starting point with a sense of planning or intention.

in the primary stage

Similar to "initial phase" but may imply a series of defined stages.

at its inception

Highlights the very beginning or creation of something.

at the dawn of

Evokes the beginning of an era or significant development.

in its infancy

Highlights the early development or immaturity of something.

to begin with

Suggests a first action or step in a sequence.

first and foremost

Emphasizes priority and importance, implying it's also the first.

FAQs

How can I use "as the earliest" in a sentence?

You can use "as the earliest" to indicate the initial point in a sequence or timeline. For example, "This fossil is recognized "as the earliest known" hominin." Make sure the context establishes what is being compared.

What are some alternatives to "as the earliest"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "at the beginning", "initially", or "in the initial phase" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "as the very earliest"?

While not strictly incorrect, "as the very earliest" can often be redundant. The phrase "as the earliest" already implies a high degree of precedence. Consider whether the extra emphasis is truly necessary.

Which is correct, "as the earliest" or "the earliest"?

Both phrases can be correct depending on the context. "As the earliest" is often used to describe something in relation to something else, setting it apart, whereas "the earliest" can stand alone to simply indicate precedence.