come first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come first" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use this phrase to denote something that is important or of primary importance. For example, you could say "Safety comes first on this job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They come first".

The New York Times

That should come first.

The New York Times

"Regulars come first".

The New York Times

"They'll always come first.

The New Yorker

First come first served?

The New York Times

"The children come first".

The New York Times

"Music should always come first.

The New York Times - Arts

Should one career come first?

The New York Times

Black people must come first".

The New York Times

The new stories come first.

The New York Times - Books

Character and story come first.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When prioritizing, be specific about what "comes first" and why. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity. For example: "In our company, customer satisfaction must "come first", as it is crucial for our long-term success."

Common error

Avoid using "come first" in passive constructions. It's more effective in active voice to show clear agency and intent. Instead of saying "Safety is to "come first"", state it actively: "We ensure safety "comes first"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come first" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating priority or precedence. It signifies that something is the most important consideration or achieves the highest rank. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and common use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come first" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote priority or winning a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across a wide range of contexts. While alternatives such as "take precedence" or "be the priority" exist, "come first" remains a straightforward and common choice. When using "come first", ensure clarity in your writing by actively stating what is prioritized and avoiding passive constructions. With its neutral register, "come first" fits naturally into diverse settings, making it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take precedence

This alternative uses a more formal tone, emphasizing that something has a higher priority or rank.

be the priority

This option focuses on highlighting what is most important, shifting from order to significance.

be paramount

This suggests the highest importance, implying that other things are secondary.

hold importance

This focuses on the significance or value something possesses.

outweigh everything else

This emphasizes that something is of greater weight or consequence than anything else.

rank highest

This alternative focuses on hierarchical order, indicating something is at the top of a list.

be at the top of the list

This option provides a more literal interpretation of ranking, suggesting clear prioritization.

matter most

This emphasizes that something is of greatest concern or relevance.

carry the most weight

This option uses a metaphor to illustrate that something is more influential or significant.

be the main thing

This option is a simpler, more direct way of saying something is the most important thing to consider.

FAQs

How do I use "come first" in a sentence?

You can use "come first" to indicate winning a competition, like "He hopes to "come first" in the race". It can also express prioritization, as in "Family should always "come first"".

What can I say instead of "come first"?

You can use alternatives like "take precedence", "be the priority", or "be paramount" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "comes firstly" instead of "come first"?

While "firstly" is an adverb used to introduce the first point in a list, "come first" is a verb phrase indicating precedence or winning. Therefore, "comes firstly" is not a standard or interchangeable substitute for "come first".

What's the difference between "come first" and "firstly"?

"Come first" indicates priority or winning, whereas "firstly" is an adverb introducing the first point in a series. You might say, "Safety must "come first"; firstly, ensure all equipment is checked."