but first of all

USAGE SUMMARY

"but first of all" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to transition to the first item or point in a list or sequence, or to introduce the first step or action in a process. Example: "I need to go grocery shopping, but first of all, I need to make a list of everything I need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But first of all, it's insulting.

Harvard University

But first of all, they are paintings.

The Guardian - Arts

But, first of all, I stare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But first of all I'd better get myself settled in.

The New Yorker

But first of all we have to survive".

Independent

But first of all, he has to captivate us.

The Guardian

But first of all, this is a nation of immigrants.

The Washington Post

"But first of all – by God, believe in something".

The Guardian - Opinion

But first of all, I'm an African-American.

The New York Times

But first of all it's about the voice.

The New York Times - Arts

But, first of all, let us classify rhetoric into its varieties.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but first of all" to clearly signal the beginning of a list of actions or points, providing a roadmap for your audience.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "but first of all" in a single piece of writing. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but first of all" functions as a transitional phrase to introduce the initial step or consideration in a sequence of actions or points. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but first of all" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the initial element in a sequence or list. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and common phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to guide readers or listeners through a series of actions or considerations. While highly useful, it's important to vary transitional phrases to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "first and foremost" or "to begin with" can add nuance and prevent overuse. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread applicability across numerous contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to begin with

Simple and direct way to start a list or sequence.

first and foremost

Emphasizes priority and importance more strongly than "but first of all".

before anything else

Emphasizes the urgency or necessity of the first action.

in the first place

Highlights the initial point or reason in a discussion.

firstly

Formal and structured way to introduce the first point.

as a first step

Emphasizes that it is the initial action to take.

above all else

Highlights the paramount importance of the initial consideration.

initially

Focuses on the starting point or the beginning phase.

primarily

Focuses on the main or most important aspect to address initially.

the most important thing is

Highlights what holds the most significance.

FAQs

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

Use "but first of all" to introduce the initial item in a list or sequence of actions. For example, "I need to prepare for the presentation, but first of all, I should gather all the necessary data."

What are some alternatives to saying "but first of all"?

You can use alternatives like "first and foremost", "to begin with", or "initially" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but first of all"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "But" can start a sentence as a conjunction, and "first of all" functions as an introductory phrase.

What is the difference between "but first of all" and "firstly"?

"But first of all" is a more conversational way to introduce the first item in a sequence, while "firstly" is more formal and structured.