first and together

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first and together" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize doing something initially and in unison, but it lacks clarity. Example: "We need to address the issues first and together to ensure a cohesive solution."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Another plainclothes cop joined the first, and together they demanded my notebook.

The New Yorker

Then the second girl said something to the first and together they began to run, their book bags bouncing against their backs in a way that looked painful.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Claire is Jay's daughter from his first marriage, and together with Phil she has three children.

The New York Times - Arts

TB participated in the design of the study, wrote the first draft and together with SR performed the analysis.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We considered tertiles of diabetes duration, comparing the third tertile versus the first and second together and two groups of glycemic control (A1C <7% and ≥7%) and therapy (diet alone, only oral drugs, and insulin).

Diabetes Care

In this study, kids suckled during a mean of 43 seconds and were together with their mothers the whole time.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Warm the honey in the microwave for 30 seconds and mix together with the yogurt.

WikiHow

Instead of keeping first grade as a single class they ended up combining first and second grade together.

The Guardian

Has she ever considered doing a sequel to "The Millionairess," their first and only film together?

The Guardian - Film

To join the fruit up, stitch the edges of the first and last panels together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you look at first and second picks together, we've got 23 now and it will go to 19," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first and together", ensure the context clearly indicates that an action is being initiated jointly. If clarity is an issue, consider alternatives like "initially and collectively".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "first and together" in formal writing; it can sound awkward. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "initially and in conjunction" or "at the outset and in unison" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first and together" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying both the timing and manner of an action. It indicates that something is done initially and in a coordinated way. Ludwig notes that it lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first and together" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, denoting an action that's both initial and coordinated. While grammatically acceptable, it's not a standard phrase and may lack clarity in certain contexts. Ludwig analysis points out the potential awkwardness, advising users to consider alternatives like "initially and collectively" or "at the outset and in unison" for improved clarity and formality. This phrase appears infrequently across various sources, including news, science, and wiki articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially and in conjunction

Replaces "first" with "initially" and "together" with "in conjunction" to emphasize the starting point and combined action.

at the beginning and simultaneously

Substitutes "first" with "at the beginning" and "together" with "simultaneously", highlighting the temporal aspect and concurrence.

primarily and collectively

Uses "primarily" instead of "first" and "collectively" in place of "together" to shift focus towards the main aspect and group effort.

to begin and concurrently

Replaces "first" with "to begin" and "together" with "concurrently", stressing the initiation and parallel occurrence.

in the first instance and jointly

Emphasizes the initial action using "in the first instance" and combines it with "jointly" instead of "together".

as a starting point and unitedly

Replaces "first" with "as a starting point" and "together" with "unitedly", focusing on the origin and unified manner.

initially and cooperatively

Swaps "first" for "initially" and "together" for "cooperatively" to highlight the preliminary nature and collaborative spirit.

at the outset and in unison

Replaces "first" with "at the outset" and "together" with "in unison", stressing the commencement and harmonious action.

to initiate and correspondingly

Uses "to initiate" instead of "first" and "correspondingly" instead of "together", highlighting the commencement and proportional relationship.

in the forefront and collaboratively

Replaces "first" with "in the forefront" and "together" with "collaboratively", emphasizing the leading position and cooperative manner.

FAQs

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

You can use "first and together" to describe actions that are initiated jointly. For example, "We need to address the issues "first and together" to ensure a cohesive solution." However, consider alternatives for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "first and together"?

Alternatives include "initially and collectively", "at the outset and in unison", or "primarily and collaboratively", depending on the desired nuance.

Is "first and together" grammatically correct?

"First and together" is not incorrect, but it's not a standard phrase and can sound awkward. Ensure it fits the context and consider alternatives for better clarity and flow.

When is it appropriate to use "first and together"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize doing something initially and in unison, but it lacks clarity. Therefore consider alternatives. For instance: "We need to address the issues "first and together" to ensure a cohesive solution."