first are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first are" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to introduce a sequence or list, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "First are the steps we need to follow to complete the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Her first is 3).

The New York Times

First, was Q1 an average quarter?

Huffington Post

The first is 15 words and easily understood.

Huffington Post

The first was 107 primary breast carcinomas.

British Journal of Cancer

"Twenty seconds are 20 seconds," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

One seventh is 0.142857 recurring.

Independent

The second is 4 point bending test.

Computational Materials Science

The second is 21 minutes later.

The New York Times

A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.

The Guardian

NHS 111 calls answered within 60 seconds was 91.4%.

The Guardian

For children the first prize is £50; second is £30; while third is £20.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If "first" is singular, use "is"; if plural, consider rephrasing for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "first are" when "first" refers to a singular item. Use "the first is" or rephrase to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first are" attempts to function as an introductory element in a sentence, usually to begin a list or sequence. However, it fails to do so effectively due to grammatical incorrectness, as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first are" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase needs grammatical correction. Correct alternatives include using "the first is" when referring to a singular item or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first is

Uses a singular verb to agree with the singular noun "first".

firstly

Replaces the phrase with an adverbial form to introduce the first point.

the initial ones are

Specifies that multiple initial items are being referred to.

a primary aspect is

Replaces 'first' with a synonym and uses a singular verb.

initially, they are

Uses an adverb to start the sentence, followed by the subject and verb.

the first few are

Indicates that the first several items possess a certain quality.

at the beginning, there are

Emphasizes the starting point and uses "there are" for existence.

the first items include

More explicitly states that the following is a list of items.

one of the first is

Highlights a single item from the beginning.

chief among them are

Highlights something important among a group of things.

FAQs

What is the correct way to start a sentence expressing a first element in a series?

The correct way to start such a sentence is by using "the first is" or "firstly". The phrase "first are" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "first are"?

You can use alternatives like "the first is", "firstly", or "the initial ones are" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "first are" or "the first is"?

"The first is" is correct. "First are" is grammatically incorrect because "first" is singular and requires a singular verb.

What's the difference between "first are" and "the first is"?

"First are" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "The first is" is grammatically correct and used to introduce the initial element in a sequence or list.