at the first instance

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the first instance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used when an action is done for the first time, or when it is important to prioritize something first. For example, "We will address this problem at the first instance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Wikimedia lost at the first instance in the federal court, especially on standing grounds.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Di Maria swings it in, but the ball's clattered out at the first instance.

The Guardian - Sport

Remaining reads were then trimmed at the first instance of a single-copy k-mer (representing putative error sequences).

Nature

The impression deepened at the first instance of what would be a recurrent experience, when a director trailed her to the lift.

The Guardian

"The family has been basically locked out of seeing the young lad, at the first instance when he was at the hospital," he told ABC radio.

The Guardian

I've picked Root because it's harder to regain form when you are a known quantity, with opposition sides aware of your flaws, than it is to surprise everyone at the first instance.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In 2004, Judge Mukasey wrote a defense of the USA Patriot Act in The Wall Street Journal that concluded that the government was entitled, "at least in the first instance, to receive from its citizens the benefit of the doubt".

The New York Times

The current analysis is based on total scores which is what clinicians look at in the first instance in practice.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

If you want to feel paranoid about someone spying on you, it's probably not Echo you should point your finger at in the first instance.

Forbes

However it seems that, at least in the first instance, Wright has a relatively quick response to this point at his disposal.

SEP

The big green one at Wembley, in the first instance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the first instance" to emphasize the immediacy or priority of an action or consideration. For example, "Check the connections at the first instance of a network failure."

Common error

Avoid using "at the first instance" in overly casual contexts. Simpler phrases like "initially" or "first" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "At the first instance, I thought it was a joke", consider saying "Initially, I thought it was a joke."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first instance" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing or sequence of an action, specifying that something occurs or should be considered at the very beginning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the first instance" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the importance of addressing something from the very beginning. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral-to-formal register, being most common in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "initially" or "first" for more casual settings. Remember that according to the examples, the goal is to highlight priority and the need for immediate action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially

This is a shorter, more direct adverb that conveys the idea of something happening at the beginning.

at the outset

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the beginning of a process or activity.

in the beginning

A more general phrase referring to the start of something.

to begin with

Indicates starting with a particular point or action.

at the start

Focuses on the initial point or phase.

in the first place

Emphasizes the primary or initial consideration.

firstly

A formal adverb used to introduce the first point in a series.

at the initial stage

Highlights the early phase of a process.

upon commencement

A more formal way of saying "at the beginning", often used in official contexts.

originally

Indicates the state or situation at the origin of something.

FAQs

How can I use "at the first instance" in a sentence?

Use "at the first instance" to emphasize the beginning or initial stage of an action or event. For example, "We should address the root cause "at the first instance"."

What are some alternatives to "at the first instance"?

You can use alternatives like "initially", "at the outset", or "in the beginning" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at the first instance"?

It's appropriate to use "at the first instance" when you want to highlight that something should be considered or done right from the start. It adds a sense of priority. Using "first" is also acceptable and more common.

Is there a difference between "at the first instance" and "in the first place"?

While both phrases relate to the beginning, "at the first instance" emphasizes the timing of an action or consideration, whereas "in the first place" often introduces a primary reason or argument.