at first step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at first step" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to the initial stage of a process or action, but "first step" is more standard. Example: "At first step, we need to gather all necessary materials before starting the project."

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

At first step, Harris corner detector is applied as a fast detector for feature extraction.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Therefore, for identification at first step, the security system must decide about the existence of a person.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

At first step, all visited LOs are placed as candidate 1-itemset, and their support count is recorded.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

In identification mode, at first step, the security system must decide about the existence of test image (person) in dataset.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

At first step, the skeleton feature of optic fundus blood vessel using contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization was extracted.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

In the proposed technique, at first step, mv/lv substations are clustered corresponding to geographical coordinates using MSVM and K-means method.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Gabe is an uncommonly strong, decent figure at first, stepping into his father's role and trying to keep Marie's teenage waywardness in check.

The New York Times - Books

At second step the VMs are identified which are currently active on the host.

Journal of Cloud Computing

At second step, concepts of user's posts are extracted with regard to concept map.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

At third step, network of users is created based on questions and answers of each user.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

At third step, the plastid and nuclear genes encoding photosynthetic apparatus are expressed at very high levels.

Rice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a multi-step process, consider using "first step" or "initially" for clarity and conciseness. This ensures your writing remains straightforward and easily understandable.

Common error

While "at first step" isn't grammatically incorrect, it can sound slightly awkward. Overusing this phrase might make your writing less fluid. Opt for alternatives like "initially" or "the first step is" to vary your sentence structure and improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at first step" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating when a particular action or event takes place in a sequence. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across varied scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

98%

News & Media

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at first step" is used to indicate the beginning of a process or action, frequently appearing in scientific and technical contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it is often more effective to use simpler and more common alternatives such as "first step", "initially", or "to begin with". As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase, although understandable, can sound slightly awkward, suggesting that careful consideration of alternative phrasing will enhance clarity and flow in writing. The prevalence of this phrase in scientific literature dictates a formal register, but more concise options are generally favored for improved readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially

Single-word adverb emphasizing the commencement of an action or process.

to begin with

Emphasizes starting a sequence or providing the first point.

in the beginning

Highlights the temporal aspect of starting a process.

as a first measure

Implies a deliberate action taken as the initial step.

the first step is

More direct and descriptive, explicitly stating the initial action.

at the outset

More formal, emphasizing the very start or commencement.

in the initial phase

Focuses on the preliminary stage of a project or development.

as an opening move

Suggests a strategic beginning to a series of actions.

at inception

Highlights the starting point of a project or idea.

in the preliminary stage

Similar to "in the initial phase", but slightly more technical.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "at first step" in a sentence?

While grammatically sound, consider replacing "at first step" with more common alternatives like "initially", "to begin with", or "the first step is" for improved clarity and flow.

What can I say instead of "at first step"?

You can use alternatives like "initially", "to begin with", or "the first step is" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "at first step" or "the first step"?

"The first step" is generally preferred as it is more concise and commonly used. While "at first step" isn't wrong, it can sound slightly awkward.

When is it appropriate to use "at first step"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is happening at the very beginning of a process. However, using simpler alternatives like "initially" or "the first step" often results in clearer writing.