first and apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and apart" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to emphasize the initial separation of two things or ideas, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "We need to address the issues first and apart before moving on to the next topic."

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This made her the first and, apart from Anne Boleyn, the only woman in sixteenth-century England to hold a peerage title in her own right.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And then second and apart from CFIUS there are many vectors, you mentioned several.

The Washington Post

It's weighted toward classics of English literature from the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth, and, apart from excursions into the Russians and Europeans, it doesn't range very widely geographically.

The New Yorker

Passivity again gripped the Welshman's boxing in the second and apart from a couple of flurries at the start and the end of the session, he ceded the space and the points to Sapiyev.

The Guardian - Sport

The Danes offered precious little in the first leg and, apart from the opening 20 minutes and the last 10 minutes, carried very little threat at home either.

The Guardian - Sport

Hence, for much of the twentieth century, and apart from a few examples mostly within the field of infectious diseases, evolutionary thinking exercised little influence within medicine (Anderson 2004).

Evolutionary Applications

Now 28, Lucas is on his fourth Liverpool manager and apart from Rafael Benítez, who signed him for the future, he has had to win them all over.

The Guardian - Sport

The first and crucial point, apart from the universal intrusion entailed, is that it does not necessarily lead you to the right individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He actually goes into the piece first and takes it apart before setting it back together, which is not something Claudio does".

The New York Times - Arts

"Add more notes an octave or an octave and fifth apart and you get a growing, powerful sound.

Los Angeles Times

James Simmons, a neuroscientist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his colleagues have demonstrated that the big brown insectivore, Eptesicus fuscus, can process overlapping echoes arriving just 2 millionths of a second apart and distinguish between objects that are just 0.3 millimeters apart.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "first and apart", ensure the context clearly indicates an initial separation or distinction, as the construction is not standard and can be easily misconstrued.

Common error

Avoid stringing together conjunctions unnecessarily. Instead of "first and apart", opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "initially separate" or "primarily distinct".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and apart" functions as a conjunctive phrase, attempting to link the idea of something being 'first' with the condition of being 'apart'. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard and advises caution.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "first and apart" attempts to combine the notions of priority and separation, it is not a standard English construction. Ludwig AI marks it as potentially confusing and suggests that clearer alternatives, such as "initially separate" or "primarily distinct", are generally preferable. The phrase's usage, primarily in news media and wiki sources, indicates a neutral register, but its non-idiomatic nature makes it less suitable for formal or academic contexts. Overall, it's best to use caution and opt for clearer phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially separate

Emphasizes the beginning state of being divided.

firstly distinct

Highlights the initial state of being clearly different.

primarily isolated

Focuses on the initial condition of being set apart.

initially detached

Indicates the starting point of being disconnected.

first off, divided

Suggests a sequential process where division is the first step.

at the start, separated

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of separation from the beginning.

in the beginning, distinct

Highlights the distinction from the outset.

to begin with, isolated

Similar to 'firstly', but focusing on isolation.

at first, not together

Simply states they are not together from the beginning.

early on, discrete

Indicates that the items are individually distinct from an early stage.

FAQs

What does "first and apart" mean?

The phrase "first and apart" is not a standard English expression. It seems to suggest something is initially separate or distinct, though it's uncommon. Consider using clearer alternatives.

How can I use "first and apart" in a sentence?

Given that "first and apart" is not standard, it's best to avoid using it. If you intend to convey initial separation, clearer alternatives such as "initially separate" or "primarily distinct" are recommended.

Is there a more common way to express the idea of "first and apart"?

Yes, instead of "first and apart", you can use phrases like "initially separate", "at the beginning separate", or "primarily isolated" depending on the context.

Which is more correct, "first and apart" or "initially separate"?

"Initially separate" is grammatically more standard and widely understood. While "first and apart" might convey a similar meaning, it's not a common or readily recognized phrase.