at the first question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the first question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial inquiry in a series of questions or discussions. Example: "At the first question, the panelist seemed surprised by the unexpected topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is a lanky, gaunt man who, at the first question, grips his shoulders with his hands and hugs himself until an acceptable question - about technique or theory - frees his skinny wings, and he takes flight intellectually.

The Guardian - Film

Looking at the first question, we found that while in terms of raw means immigrants seem less satisfied than natives, this difference can be accounted for entirely in terms of observable characteristics, in particular details of employment conditions such as whether working in the occupation trained for or the degree of job insecurity.

IZA Journal of Migration

29 Many volunteered at the first question that they wanted to quit smoking, thus indicating an intention to stop.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Last month, at a Square recruiting session at Columbia University, the first question the engineering students asked Dorsey was about the mayoralty.

The New Yorker

Inevitably too it was a talking point at WPIX, the first question asked.

The New York Times

The morning after Clarke's victory at Sandwich, England, the first question to Dawson went straight to the potential of Portrush as an Open site.

The New York Times - Sports

Atlanta, in any case, is hardly representative of Georgia, let alone the South at large: the first question Mr. Kerry faced was from a transgendered veteran who wanted to know whether Mr. Kerry would leave no transgendered American behind.

The New York Times

"In the last 12 months, when I look at energy, the first question is always, 'What's the price of oil?' That question seems more important than any company's fundamentals".

The New York Times

A total of 1281 persons visited the webpage of the survey whereof 1245 responded to at least the first question ("In which country do you live?").

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Dan Gould, the director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State, said the first question he has about such events was why they were necessary.

The New York Times - Sports

At the beginning, in the first question block, the interviewees were asked about the effects of CC on the IT market in Germany.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "at the first question" with more descriptive phrases like "in response to the opening question" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at the first question" when you are actually referring to a later question in a series. Ensure that it truly is the initial question being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first question" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It specifies the timing or point of initiation within a sequence of questions, such as in an interview or survey. According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the first question" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to denote the initial point in a series of questions or a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly common, with only a few examples found, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, suggesting its acceptability in both news and scientific contexts. Related phrases such as "regarding the initial question" or "in response to the opening question" offer alternative ways to express a similar meaning. It's vital to ensure the phrase accurately refers to the initial question to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the initial question

Focuses on the topic or content of the question rather than the position of the question itself.

in response to the opening question

Highlights that there is a reply and the question is only in the opening.

concerning the first query

Uses a more formal term "query" instead of question.

when initially asked

Shifts the focus to the act of asking, rather than the question itself.

upon the initial inquiry

Emphasizes the act of inquiring.

with the first question posed

Highlights the act of posing the question.

following the opening question

Emphasizes the sequence of questions.

regarding the primary question

Stresses the importance of the initial question.

on the subject of the first question

Highlights the topic of conversation.

relative to the first inquiry

Highlights relation to the first inquiry.

FAQs

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

You might say, "At the first question, the interviewee seemed nervous" or "At the first question, it became clear that the witness was lying".

What phrases are similar to "at the first question"?

Alternatives include "in response to the opening question", "regarding the initial question", or "concerning the first query". You can also use "with regard to" the first question.

Is it better to say "in the first question" or "at the first question"?

"At the first question" is generally preferred when describing a reaction or immediate response. "In the first question" may be more appropriate when discussing the content or wording within that question. For example, "At the first question, he hesitated", vs. "There was a complex ambiguity in the first question".

Is "at the first question" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though you may consider more sophisticated alternatives like "with regard to" for more formal settings.