at the first time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the first time" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that happened for the first time, an experience that was new and unfamiliar. For example: "At the first time I heard the sound of the cello, I knew it would be my favorite instrument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the first time, the quantum yields of the photoproducts were measured.

Optical Materials

At the first time mesospheric bore events were observed and analyzed in the equatorial region.

Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics

As far as we know, these IC50 values were reported at the first time.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Secondly, waterbirds declined gently in number at the first time period, then dropped rapidly.

Procedia Environmental Sciences

When the alarm triggered at the first time, the sound this the voice message.

Cornell University

He was 2 seconds behind Contador at the first time split.

The New York Times - Sports

At the first time X t) becomes negative, however, the portfolio is ruined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The proposed method was at the first time used to analyze chloride ion diffusion in RAC.

Construction and Building Materials

A novel amphiphilic photo-degradable hyperbranched polymer was reported at the first time.

Polymer

I ordered two tops and both fitted at the first time of asking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lancashire, who drew at Gloucestershire, return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the first time" to clearly indicate when something is happening or being observed for the initial occasion. This helps create a sense of novelty or uniqueness, especially in research or reporting.

Common error

Be mindful of using "at the first time" when the context already implies it. For example, instead of saying "He succeeded at the first time he tried", you can simply say "He succeeded the first time he tried" or "He succeeded on his first try".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the first time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when something occurred initially. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing measurements, observations, and actions during the first instance of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

36%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the first time" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify when something occurs initially. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions to emphasize the timing of an event or observation, particularly during its first occurrence. While "for the first time" is more common overall, "at the first time" is useful for highlighting specific measurements or observations made during an initial event. The phrase appears frequently in scientific and news contexts. Remember to avoid redundancy by ensuring that the context doesn't already imply the 'first time'. Related phrases include "initially" and "at the outset".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very first time

Adds emphasis to the fact that it was the absolute first occasion.

on its first occurrence

Highlights that something happened the very first time it was tried or appeared.

upon the initial attempt

Highlights the first try at something.

for the first instance

Emphasizes the start of something, often used in formal contexts.

at the outset

Indicates the commencement or initiation of something, often in a formal setting.

initially

A simple adverb indicating the beginning stage.

when it first happened

Focuses on the timing of the initial event.

in the beginning

Highlights the starting point of an event or process.

at the starting point

Emphasizes the very beginning of a process or journey.

to begin with

Used to introduce the first point or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "at the first time" to describe an action or observation that occurred during the initial instance. For example, "At the first time, the data showed a significant increase".

What's a more concise alternative to "at the first time"?

Consider using "initially" or "at the outset" for a more succinct expression depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "at the first time" or "for the first time"?

"For the first time" is generally more common and often preferred, but "at the first time" can be used in specific contexts where you want to emphasize a particular point in time.

Can "at the first time" be used interchangeably with "the first time"?

While similar, "the first time" is more versatile and frequently used. "At the first time" is better suited when emphasizing a specific measurement or observation during an initial event.