as the first moves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as the first moves" is not correct and may be confusing in written English.
It could be used in a context discussing a sequence of actions or events, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "As the first moves in the game were made, the tension in the room grew palpable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Most likely, he viewed the abductions as the first moves in a conspiracy to unseat him.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The US tycoons Martin E Franklin and Noam Gottesman listed Nomad a year ago to buy a business as the first move in creating a global consumer brands company.

The Guardian - Business

Given that, when the time comes to tighten, which isn't now, it would be seriously worth considering reducing the stock of assets bought in QE rather than raising rates as the first move.

Independent

It spawned natural skepticism of whether it was Woods himself tapping out his little message (is Woods really an exclamation point guy?), but it became obvious as the first move in a new image-repair initiative in Woods's name.

The New York Times - Sports

On the nuttier fringes of the conversation are those who claim to believe it will come to be seen as the first move in a new oppression which will end only when wearing the burqa becomes obligatory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wall Street sees this as the first move toward significant consolidation of the mobile phone industry, which might include such combinations as Verizon with Sprint PCS and Cingular Wireless with AT&T Wireless.

Forbes

Together these fleets would stage a major operation in the English Channel, driving off the Royal Navy Channel Fleet and allowing a fleet of landing barges to land on the southern coast of England as the first move in an invasion of Britain.

Wikipedia

A decision on which factions were to name chiefs of staff and military regional commanders was announced on 19 August 2003 as the first move in military reform, superimposed on top of the various groups of fighters, government and former rebels.

Wikipedia

Constructing an integrated healthcare insurance information system: For areas that are immature to integrate URBMI and NRCMS, instead of leaping to the integration, a unified information platform shall be established as the first move towards the integration.

BMC Health Services Research

For example, Twitter laid off 8percentt of its employees as one of the first moves by new CEO Jack Dorsey.

TechCrunch

Initially economic needs were perceived as pre-eminent (as demonstrated in the first move), rather than the need for a more liberal social environment.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing initial actions, prioritize clarity. Replace the phrase "as the first moves" with alternatives such as "as the initial steps" or "as the opening actions" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as the first moves" in formal writing. It can often be replaced with simpler, more direct language that improves readability and avoids grammatical ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as the first moves" functions as an introductory phrase setting the stage for subsequent actions. However, Ludwig AI indicates the phrase may sound awkward and lacks clarity in formal writing. The provided examples showcase the phrase used in contexts requiring clearer, more precise language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "as the first moves" aims to denote the beginning of a series of actions, it is considered grammatically awkward and lacks clarity, as indicated by Ludwig AI. More precise alternatives, such as "as the initial steps" or "as the opening actions", are recommended for improved readability and professionalism. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but its ambiguity makes it less suitable for formal or academic writing. Therefore, writers should prioritize clarity and precision when describing initial actions and opt for more direct language. The single exact match example and the limited frequency emphasize the need for caution when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the initial steps

Replaces "first moves" with a more straightforward term for the beginning actions.

as the opening actions

Similar to 'initial steps', emphasizing the act of beginning.

as the primary initiatives

Highlights the leading or most important actions taken first.

as the starting maneuvers

Uses 'maneuvers' to suggest strategic or tactical initial actions.

as the preliminary measures

Focuses on actions taken in preparation for something else.

as the pioneer actions

Emphasizes the innovative or groundbreaking nature of the first actions.

with the earliest actions

Highlights the temporal aspect of the actions being the earliest.

as the nascent efforts

Describes the initial actions as just beginning or developing.

as the kickoff activities

Suggests the actions are the starting point for a larger set of activities.

as the genesis actions

Emphasizes that these are the actions from which everything else originates.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as the first moves" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "as the initial steps", "as the opening actions", or "as the primary initiatives" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "as the first moves" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "as the first moves" is grammatically awkward. It's better to use more precise and standard phrasing to avoid confusion and maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternative phrases for indicating the beginning of a process?

You can use phrases such as "as the starting maneuvers", "with the earliest actions", or "as the preliminary measures" to describe the initial stages of a process.

When is it appropriate to use "as the first moves"?

Given the grammatical awkwardness, it's generally best to avoid "as the first moves" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives that accurately convey the intended meaning.