first

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "first" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an adverb e.g. "First, we will...." or in a phrase to emphasize something e.g. "At first glance, I wasn't sure what I was looking at."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ReprintsThe first "arm" of the trial, in which PRO 2000 formed 2% of the gel, was abandoned early because results elsewhere suggested this was an ineffective mix.

The Economist

You read it here first.

The New York Times

FIRST, the bad news.

The New York Times - Food

"Mr Carmichael said at the time that the first he was aware of this matter was when he received a call from a journalist, but we now know that this is simply untrue.

The Guardian

The case has already been referred to the police ombudsman but, as the first minister has said, we should have a full, independent examination of the whole operation of this scheme.

The Guardian

For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Just before Ive took me into the studio for the first time, he remarked that all the buildings were similarly linked.

The Guardian - Tech

I don't know the first thing about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Remember, you read it here first.

The New York Times

Jeff Carter scored in the opening minute of the second and third periods for the Kings, who became the first road team to win in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

"We lost the game in the first half".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first" to clearly indicate the initial item in a sequence or the beginning of a process. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "first" when you mean "at first", which indicates an initial reaction or understanding that later changed. "First" simply denotes order.

Linguistic Context

The word "first" functions primarily as an adjective to indicate the initial item in a sequence or as an adverb to denote the initial action or step. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in phrases like "the first time" or "first and foremost". Ludwig AI indicates that "first" is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "first" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective or adverb to denote precedence, order, or initiation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct. Its usage spans across various contexts, most frequently in news, sports, and lifestyle content, demonstrating its broad applicability. While it is often interchanged with related terms like "initial" or "primary", it is essential to maintain precision, especially when differentiating it from "at first". Understanding these subtle differences enhances clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial

Focuses on the beginning stage or phase.

primary

Emphasizes importance and ranking.

foremost

Highlights being the most prominent or important.

earliest

Stresses the time aspect of being the beginning.

original

Highlights uniqueness and being the source.

inaugural

Relates specifically to a formal beginning or start.

commencement

Emphasizes the beginning of an event or period.

genesis

Implies the origin or creation of something.

introduction

Highlights the act of presenting or starting something.

preliminary

Indicates something that comes before the main part.

FAQs

How do I use "first" in a sentence?

You can use "first" as an adverb, for example, "first clean the sink". It can also function as an adjective, as in "the first day of the month".

What can I say instead of "first" to indicate the beginning?

Alternatives include "initially", "to begin with", or "primarily", depending on the specific context.

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

While "firstly" is grammatically acceptable, "first" is generally preferred in modern English for indicating the first point in a sequence or list.

What's the difference between "first" and "last"?

"First" indicates the beginning or the initial item, while "last" indicates the end or the final item in a sequence.