first above

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'first above' is not correct grammar in written English.
You might use 'above all' or 'above all else' to express similar meaning. For example: Above all, be sure to stay safe this weekend.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The first, above, portrays how plastic trash can end up killing marine life.

The New York Times

First, above, about eight passengers used belts and earphone wires to tie up Mr. Reid as other passengers watched.

The New York Times

The first, above, is a heavy-ply empire-waist cardigan ($328), with gathers at the bodice and a midthigh length.

The New York Times

We proved the first above, and given our definition of OB, RM′ and NEC′ follow from standard features of the modal logic K alone, but Kant's Law and NC′ also depend on the distinctive deontic axiom, ◊d.

SEP

I've pasted the first above -- and the second in the middle.

Huffington Post

Along the lines of psychiatrist Michael First above, psychiatrist Benedetto Vitiello argued: "Our society has decided that pain, suffering, murder, aggression are bad.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Last season was his first above-average season, in which he hit.270 and compiled 1.6 wins above replacement.

The New York Times - Sports

The victory allowed Phoenix to tie idle Dallas for second in the Pacific Division and denied the Thrashers (13-14-6-1) their first above-.500 reverd ever.

The New York Times - Sports

Even though the world's first above-ground rail system was installed in New York, America's public transportation systems now seem stuck in the past.

The New York Times

Data from these old-growth forest plots will reveal the first above-ground estimates of carbon stored in both coastal redwood and giant sequoia forests, according to Emily Burns, director of science for the Save The Redwoods League.

Yale University

Hong Kong Land has an extremely large presence in its namesake city with an office and luxury retail portfolio of 450,000 sq m (4.8 million sq ft) and solidified their influence in the city by building the first above-ground walkways, an extensive footbridge network that connects Admiralty, Central and parts of Sheung Wan.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, rephrase "first above" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "above all" or "primarily" to ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "first above" in formal writing. While it may appear in certain contexts, it's generally better to opt for clearer and grammatically correct phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first above" attempts to function as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating priority or superiority. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first above" is used to express prioritization or superiority, but Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. While examples can be found across various sources, including News & Media, Science and Academia, it's generally advisable to use more standard and grammatically sound alternatives like "above all", "primarily", or "most importantly". Opting for these alternatives ensures clarity and avoids potential confusion in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above all

Emphasizes the supreme importance or priority of something.

first and foremost

Emphasizes the initial and primary importance.

most importantly

Highlights the key consideration.

primarily

Highlights the main or most important aspect.

before anything else

Stresses the temporal priority of something.

over and above

Indicates something is additional or superior.

more than

Highlights the surpassing quality of something.

in the lead

Highlights the condition of being the leading actor.

at the top

Highlights position at the peak or summit.

to begin with

Highlights the commencement or start of a given activity.

FAQs

What does "first above" mean?

The phrase "first above" generally aims to express that something is prioritized or superior to something else, though it's not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

How can I rephrase "first above" to be grammatically correct?

Consider using phrases like "above all", "primarily", or "most importantly" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "first above" commonly used in formal writing?

No, "first above" is not commonly used in formal writing. It's advisable to use more standard English phrases to ensure clarity and professionalism.

What are some alternatives to "first above" that emphasize priority?

You can use alternatives such as "before anything else", "first and foremost", or simply "primarily" to indicate importance or priority.