first and only question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and only question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that you are asking a single question, often in a context where multiple questions might be expected. Example: "Before we proceed, I have my first and only question: What is the deadline for this project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That is the first and only question on the University of Bee Keeping entrance exam.

The Guardian - Books

Day 19 The worst part about Isabella's relapses was answering her first and only question, "Am I going to lose my hair?" We hated having to tell her yes, so to calm her nerves, we would dye her hair red like Ariel's.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The killing of a black teen is justified first, and only questioned after.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the first and only unanswered question.

Vice

That's never going to stop a concerned mother or grandmother from asking when you're going to start popping out kids, but maybe it won't be her first, or only, question.

Huffington Post

And after the first game the only question was whether Brian O'Driscoll or Rory Best might pip him to the furry mascot.

The Guardian - Sport

Whether he gets it in the first half or the second is the only question.

The New York Times

But now Vick, for one, has served his time in federal prison, and the Times' William Rhoden argues that Vick deserves a second chance: "The only question that remains is whether the N.F.L. will do the right thing".

The New Yorker

From the moment when Mr Blair announced that he would not lead his party into a fourth election, the only question that mattered was when he would leave.

The Economist

The first question was the only question that did not show any statistical significance between the groups and, noteworthy, the lowest score, i.e. highest degree of problem.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

That's the first, but not the only question journalists ask.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first and only question" to clearly signal that you are limiting the scope of inquiry to a single, crucial question.

Common error

Avoid using "first and only question" in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "only question" or "just one question" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and only question" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying that the following noun (question) is singular and unique. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English to highlight the importance of a single inquiry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first and only question" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize the singularity and importance of a specific inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to focus attention on a crucial question, signaling that it is the only one under consideration. While versatile, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science, with a neutral register making it suitable for a range of contexts. When brevity is preferred, alternatives such as "only question" or "sole question" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only question

This alternative is even more concise, focusing on the uniqueness of the question.

sole question

This alternative is more concise, omitting "first and" while retaining the sense of being the only question.

single question

This alternative emphasizes that there's only one question.

main question

This alternative highlights the core question to be considered.

primary question

This alternative focuses on the importance of the question, implying it's the main one.

initial and only question

Using "initial" in place of "first" offers a slightly more formal tone.

key question

This alternative highlights the significance of the question.

one question only

This phrase reverses the word order for emphasis.

fundamental question

Highlights the basic nature of the query.

most important question

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the query.

FAQs

How can I use "first and only question" in a sentence?

You can use "first and only question" to introduce a critical inquiry, indicating that only one question will be posed. For example: "Before we start, my first and only question is, what's our budget?"

What can I say instead of "first and only question"?

You can use alternatives like "sole question", "only question", or "single question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "first and only question" or "only question"?

Both "first and only question" and "only question" are correct. The former emphasizes the singularity right from the start, while the latter is more concise.

When should I use "first and only question" instead of "main question"?

Use "first and only question" when you want to emphasize that you are asking a single, definitive question and no others. Use "main question" when there are multiple questions, but you are highlighting the most important one.