at a first time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a first time" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to convey the idea of something happening for the first time, but the phrasing is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "At a first time, I found it difficult to adjust to the new environment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It passed the BSkyB bid at a first time of asking.

The Guardian

"Discover Capital" provides an in-depth look at a first time search fund run by the tenacious Kelly Quann Bianucci.

Harvard Business Review

At a first time, SADT (Structured Analysis and Design Technique) method was proposed to organize the specifications because it is a functional analysis method [IGL, 89] and commonly used in railway sectors.

European Transport Research Review

Thus, the total percentage of a TAC awarded by any operator and in effect at the tth time interval may be expressed as in equation 3. TQAt = total percentage of the TAC awarded by to any operator at a First Time Auction, Ordinary Annual Auction,or Special Auction, and in effect at the tth time interval.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Should May succeed in getting her deal past the Commons next week at a fourth time of asking, the EU would likely waive through an extension until 22 May.

The Guardian

Superior implant bar supported by [4] zygoma implants was designed crossing the palatal defect in order to manufacture palatal obturator at a second time.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

We did not, however, investigate whether these epitopes escaped by sequencing the virus at a second time point.

Plosone

This protocol was repeated for a random sub-sample at a second time point, 3 6 months later.

BMC Public Health

The key strength of this study is assessing the offspring at a second time point during their lives.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Let X 1 be the volume measurement at a given time point and X 2 the measurement at a second time point.

Cancer Imaging

This omission will be addressed in the main study by asking a subset of responders to complete the ZDS at a second time point.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "at a first time" with the more common and grammatically correct phrase "for the first time".

Common error

Avoid using the non-idiomatic phrase "at a first time". Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives like "for the first time" to ensure your writing is easily understood and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a first time" is intended to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate when something occurs for the first instance. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a first time" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it's an awkward phrasing for expressing something happening for the first time. The recommended alternative is "for the first time". While examples exist across news, science, and formal contexts, its usage is rare, and it should be avoided in formal writing. Better choices like "initially", "at the outset", or "in the beginning" should be prefered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the first time

This is the most common and grammatically correct way to express the idea of something happening initially.

initially

A single-word adverb that concisely conveys the idea of something happening at the beginning.

at the outset

This phrase suggests the very beginning or start of something.

in the beginning

This alternative emphasizes the initial stage or period.

to begin with

This phrase introduces the first point or action in a sequence.

at the start

This indicates the commencement of an event or activity.

upon initial inspection

This phrase highlights the first assessment or observation.

in the early stages

This alternative focuses on the preliminary phase of a process or development.

at the primary stage

This alternative emphasizes that a process is at the start.

as a first step

This suggests the initial action taken in a series of steps.

FAQs

What's the best alternative to "at a first time"?

The most suitable alternative is "for the first time", which is grammatically correct and widely used.

Is "at a first time" grammatically correct?

No, "at a first time" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "for the first time" instead.

How can I use "for the first time" in a sentence?

You can use "for the first time" in a sentence like this: "I saw snow for the first time last winter."

What's the difference between "at a first time" and "initially"?

"At a first time" is not standard English, whereas "initially" is a correct adverb that means 'at the beginning'. You can use "initially" to replace "at a first time" in some contexts.