during the first class

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during the first class" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time frame when an event or activity takes place, particularly in an educational context. Example: "During the first class, we discussed the syllabus and introduced ourselves to one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"You do not make grammatical errors when you're swinging for the fences," Wallace said during the first class, only instead of "errors", he used a word I'm assuming is unprintable in British newspapers.

The Guardian - Books

He falls asleep during the first class, having already ridden his brand-new bike 3,000 miles in two crazed weeks of ownership.

Forbes

A few years ago a student, who now has become a close friend, blurted out loudly during the first class meeting, "Wow!

Science Magazine

Recruitment was conducted by the lead author (LPG) during the first class session.

BMC Medical Education

Also, instructors could model proper group function with specially designed activities during the first class period (Dinan, 2006; Wood, 2009).

CBE Life Sciences Education

For the traditional section, during the first class session of the week, students had a face-to-face lecture.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Some professors go over the syllabus during the first classes of the school year.

Huffington Post

The shooting at the university came a day after seven Iraqi police recruits were killed and more than 70 other people were wounded when an explosive device attached to a utility pole near a police station in Ramadi was detonated during the graduation of the first class of the new American-trained Iraqi police force.

The New York Times

We will deliver the first class during pregnancy, on the benefits of breastfeeding for metabolic control and for infant health.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

For both sections, during the "second" class period of the week, students were provided with a worksheet based on, and extending, the material from the lecture.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Patients were recruited during the third-class of the program (corresponding to a pre-screening period of 3 weeks from program onset).

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or activities that occurred at the start of a course, use "during the first class" to clearly indicate the timeframe. For example, "During the first class, students were introduced to the course syllabus."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "during the first class" implies events exclusively within that session. Clarify if activities extended beyond that initial meeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during the first class" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate when an action occurred or a state existed. It specifies the temporal context of an event within the initial session of a course. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during the first class" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that specifies a timeframe at the beginning of a course or session. As indicated by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral to professional register makes it appropriate for various contexts, including academic, news, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the scope of activities within that initial session. Consider related phrases such as "in the first class" or "at the beginning of class" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the first class

Replaces the preposition "during" with "in", altering the nuance from a period of time to a location.

at the first class

Substitutes "during" with "at", indicating a specific point in time within the class session.

in the opening class

Uses "opening" instead of "first", emphasizing the initial nature of the class.

at the beginning of class

Rephrases to focus on the start of the class, avoiding the term "first" altogether.

on the first day of class

Specifies the first day, potentially encompassing more than just the class period itself.

when the class began

Changes the structure to a clause, focusing on the moment the class started.

as the class commenced

Replaces simpler terms with more formal vocabulary.

at the initial lecture

Uses "initial lecture" instead of "first class", suitable for lecture-based courses.

during the introductory session

Emphasizes the introductory nature of the session.

inaugural class session

This uses more formal language to describe the initial class session

FAQs

How can I use "during the first class" in a sentence?

You can use "during the first class" to describe activities or events that happen at the beginning of a course. For instance: "During the first class, the professor outlined the grading policy."

What are some alternatives to "during the first class"?

Consider alternatives like "in the first class", "at the beginning of class", or "on the first day of class" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "during the first class" and "in the first class"?

"During the first class" emphasizes the timeframe when something occurred, while "in the first class" might refer more to the setting or environment. Both are generally acceptable, but "during the first class" is more common for describing actions or events.

Can I use "during the first class" when referring to online courses?

Yes, "during the first class" is perfectly appropriate for online courses, referring to the initial session or module of the course.