at first stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first stage" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "at the first stage." Example: "At the first stage of the project, we will conduct initial research to gather data."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

According to the DWP, only 46% (196,000) of initial claims were successful at first stage in 2006-07, of some 423,000 applications.

The Guardian

James Fenton's "Kunstler" set looks mundane at first: stage; lectern; small table bearing coffee, water and snacks; a basic desk and chair.

The New York Times

Updated at 11.57am GMT 11.25am GMT Putin says Gazprom could cut off gas to Ukraine but it would not be due to political factors but because Ukraine hasn't paid off its debt and isn't paying for current deliveries: The government of Russia gave the first tranche of credit, at first stage $3 billion.

The Guardian

(2016)] for violence scenes detection at first stage.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

So, at first stage, nine locomotives are needed to service all trains with classical time windows.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Open image in new window Fig. 7 Results for island partition model at first stage.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

NEW EXECUTIVE AT SECOND STAGE -- The Off Broadway house Second Stage Theater has appointed a new executive director.

The New York Times

At first, staging a baptism in the West seems redundant and unnecessary.

The New York Times - Arts

Longshoremen's unions worldwide vehemently opposed it at first, staging a series of bitter strikes.

The New York Times

Random walk is adopted by the two algorithms at first stages of search and robots transmit at each step their current position to others.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

The musical continues through Aug. 11 at Second Stage Theater.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the initial phase of a process, use the grammatically correct phrase "at the first stage" or consider alternatives like "in the initial phase" or "as a first step" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" before "first stage". Saying "at first stage" is grammatically incorrect; instead, use "at the first stage" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first stage" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the initial point in a process or sequence. As noted by Ludwig AI, the grammatically correct form is "at the first stage".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at first stage" is relatively common, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "at the first stage". Ludwig AI indicates that omitting "the" is a common error. The phrase is frequently used in scientific and news contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "in the initial phase" or "as a first step" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. Remember to always include the article "the" for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the initial phase

Replaces 'at first stage' with a more formal and grammatically standard phrase using 'phase' instead of 'stage'.

during the early phase

Similar to 'in the initial phase', but emphasizes the temporal aspect of the beginning period.

at the beginning

Simplifies the phrase to a more basic expression indicating the starting point.

in the preliminary phase

Uses 'preliminary' to highlight the preparatory nature of the first stage.

as a first step

Focuses on the action-oriented aspect of the initial stage, framing it as a step in a process.

initially

A concise adverb that captures the sense of 'at first'.

at the outset

Emphasizes the very start or commencement of something.

in its infancy

Metaphorically describes the stage as being in its early development.

at inception

Highlights the moment something is created or begins.

at the starting point

Directly indicates the point from which something begins or originates.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "at first stage" in a sentence?

While "at first stage" is often used, it's grammatically incorrect. Use "at the first stage" or consider alternatives like "in the initial phase" or "as a first step".

What is a more formal alternative to "at first stage"?

For a more formal tone, use phrases such as "in the initial phase", "during the early phase", or "in the preliminary phase".

Is "at first stage" grammatically correct?

No, "at first stage" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "at the first stage". Alternatively, consider rephrasing to "initially" or "at the beginning".

What's the difference between "at first stage" and "at the first stage"?

"At first stage" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article "the". The correct way to say it is "at the first stage". However, it is often preferable to use alternatives such as "in the initial phase".