be first of all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be first of all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of something as the primary consideration or priority. Example: "To succeed in this project, we must be first of all committed to our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

All the stuff she says seems to be first of all funny to her.

The New York Times - Arts

"It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it's really rare.

The New York Times

My visit to Washington on Thursday will be first of all on these issues, how on both sides of the Atlantic we can work together boosting growth.

The New York Times

They should be, first of all, humanists, intuitionists, appreciative of each patient's individuality and particular situation, practitioners of a quirky, unpredictable, uncertain art.

The New York Times - Books

So I never thought that the stories would be – first of all, I never thought I'd be involved in it again, period.

The Guardian - Film

"My concerns would be, first of all, whether the person could do this responsibly without getting us into trouble," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

What America needs is first-of-all a new vision.

Huffington Post

He was, first of all, a fighter".

The New Yorker

It is, first of all, richly historic.

The Guardian - Arts

"He is first of all a person.

The New York Times

And his answer is: first of all, it's cinema.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be first of all", ensure that it clearly introduces the most important aspect or consideration in your statement. This phrase is most effective when you're outlining multiple points but want to highlight the primary one.

Common error

Avoid using "be first of all" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms such as "above all" or "primarily" to maintain clarity and emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be first of all" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb and emphasizing priority or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be first of all" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize priority or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears in various contexts, from news and media to science and academia, though it is more frequent in news sources. Alternatives such as "above all" and "primarily" can offer more concise options for formal writing. While effective, overuse of "be first of all" should be avoided to maintain clarity and impact. The phrase is deemed suitable for both formal and informal contexts, serving to highlight the most important aspect among several considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all

Emphasizes the paramount importance of something; more concise.

first and foremost

Highlights the initial and most significant aspect.

most importantly

Stresses the critical importance of something.

primarily

Focuses on the main or principal concern.

in the first place

Emphasizes initial consideration or priority.

chiefly

Indicates the main or principal element.

principally

Similar to 'primarily' but can imply foundational importance.

to begin with

Introduces a primary point among others.

fundamentally

Highlights the basic or essential nature.

essentially

Points to the core or most important element.

FAQs

What does "be first of all" mean?

The phrase "be first of all" means to consider something as the most important or primary aspect among several others. It emphasizes a priority or fundamental consideration.

How can I use "be first of all" in a sentence?

You can use "be first of all" to highlight the most important consideration. For example, "To succeed, we must "above all" be dedicated to our goals."

What are some alternatives to "be first of all"?

Alternatives include "first and foremost", "primarily", or "most importantly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "be first of all" formal or informal?

The phrase "be first of all" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more concise alternatives like "above all" or "primarily" might be preferred in formal writing for brevity.