at the first level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the first level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initial stage or basic tier in a hierarchy or system. Example: "At the first level, we will focus on understanding the fundamental concepts before moving on to more advanced topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the first level, the words themselves change.

The New Yorker

This places security at the first level of the rights of man.

The Guardian

"You can't give up at the first level of people you talk with.

The New York Times

At the first level, there was the day-to-day business of Atlantic Records.

The New Yorker

Multiple estimation models are used to tune the unknown parameters at the first level.

ISA Transactions

At the first level, the system is decomposed into subsystems for which subproblems are formed.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

In addition, the product accident history is introduced at the first level as a correction item.

Procedia Engineering

Inflexibility at the first level had to be compensated for by staff strategies at the second.

Health & Place

For a miniversal deformation such a homomorphism exists, but is unique only at the first level.

Journal of Functional Analysis

At the first level, a simple uncalibrated layered model is developed.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

At the first level, it takes between two and three years to gain a diploma.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the first level", ensure the context clearly establishes a hierarchical structure or multi-stage process. This clarifies that you're referring to the foundational or initial tier.

Common error

Avoid using "at the first level" when there's no clear hierarchy or multi-stage process. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "initially" or "to begin with" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first level" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the initial stage or foundational tier in a process or hierarchy. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the first level" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to pinpoint the initial stage or foundational tier within a process or hierarchy. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and high frequency across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to use it appropriately in contexts where a clear hierarchy exists, avoiding misuse in non-hierarchical situations. Alternatives like "initially" or "at the beginning" can be used based on context. It maintains a mostly neutral to formal tone, being less prevalent in informal conversations. The phrase is most common in scientific and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the initial phase

Highlights the starting stage, similar to 'at the first level' but using different wording.

in the preliminary stage

Highlights the introductory phase, comparable to the first level.

as a first step

Emphasizes the action of initiating a process, without referring to a level.

at the ground floor

Uses a metaphor to convey the initial level of a structure or organization.

at the beginning

Indicates the start of something, removing the explicit mention of 'level'.

on a basic plane

Emphasizes the foundational aspect rather than the tiered structure.

initially

Focuses on the temporal aspect of beginning, omitting the hierarchical sense.

to begin with

Focuses on initiating a sequence, dropping the hierarchical connotation.

at the outset

Highlights the starting point of an activity or process, lacking a sense of hierarchical layering.

first and foremost

Emphasizes priority rather than a specific hierarchical position.

FAQs

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

Use "at the first level" to indicate the initial stage or foundational tier in a process, hierarchy, or system. For example, "At the first level, we focus on gathering basic data".

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

Alternatives include "initially", "at the beginning", or "as a first step", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify subsequent levels after mentioning "at the first level"?

While not always mandatory, mentioning subsequent levels after "at the first level" provides clarity and completeness, especially when detailing a multi-stage process or hierarchical structure.

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

"At the first level" typically implies a hierarchy or tiered system, whereas "in the first stage" simply refers to the initial phase of a process or project. The former has a structural connotation, while the latter is purely temporal.