first course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first step of a plan of action, for example: "We need to develop a plan of action to solve this problem. Our first course of action should be to conduct research to better understand the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"I'm not ruling it out, but it's not the first course of action," he added.

The New York Times

But I don't just suspend children as the first course of action.

The Washington Post

The first course of action is often preferred, since it establishes a manager's authority and image.

Harvard Business Review

Her first course of action was to write letters to her parents, and to her two brothers and two sisters.

The New York Times

Crizotinib had received FDA approval a few months earlier, so it was the logical first course of action.

Stanford University

Even if your levels are low and you have several symptoms, TRT is not always the first course of action.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

As a second course of action, contact your credit card issuer.

The Washington Post

While few Americans have taken the third course of action, many are willing to try the first two, a survey has found.

The New York Times

The executives – and possibly Hollywood was a willing victim – decided that the bread-maker was their likeliest option for the second course of action.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if an incoming object is particularly large, or is detected particularly late, the third course of action would be to blast it into a new orbit with nuclear weapons.If all else fails, or if a threat is spotted too late to deflect, there is also the option of evacuation.

The Economist

The majority of the Kyoto School thinkers, however, including Nishida, Tanabe, and Nishitani, took the third course of action.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining a series of steps, use "first course of action" to clearly indicate the initial and most immediate step that should be taken.

Common error

Avoid using "first course of action" excessively in a single document. While useful for clarity, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "initial step" or "primary measure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first course of action" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the initial step or approach in a plan or response. Ludwig's examples show it's used to introduce the immediate action to be taken in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first course of action" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that denotes the initial step in a plan or response. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. When writing, it's important to indicate clarity and avoid overuse, replacing it with alternatives like "initial step" or "primary measure" where appropriate. This ensures your writing remains clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial step

Focuses on the sequence, emphasizing the starting point.

primary measure

Highlights the importance and priority of the action.

first priority

Emphasizes what is most important to address initially.

starting point

Suggests a beginning or initiation of a process.

initial approach

Highlights the method or strategy used at the beginning.

first move

Implies a strategic initial action.

preliminary action

Indicates an action taken in preparation for something else.

initial plan

Focuses on the planned start of something.

first response

Highlights the initial reaction to a situation.

opening gambit

Implies a strategic and calculated initial action.

FAQs

How can I use "first course of action" in a sentence?

You can use "first course of action" to describe the initial step taken to address a situation, such as, "The /s/first+course+of+action in addressing the budget deficit is to review all departmental spending".

What is a good alternative to "first course of action"?

Alternatives include "initial step", "primary measure", or "first priority", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "the very first course of action"?

Yes, adding "very" is generally redundant as "first" already implies the initial action. Stick to "first course of action" for clarity.

What's the difference between "first course of action" and "second course of action"?

"First course of action" refers to the initial step, while "second course of action" refers to the subsequent step taken after the first has been implemented or considered.