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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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first familiar

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first familiar" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of something being the initial or primary familiarity with a subject or concept, but it lacks clarity. Example: "Before diving into the details, let's establish our first familiar concepts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He climbed into the bed of the first familiar truck he saw.

News & Media

The New Yorker

First, familiar branded things you buy all the time – toothpaste, soap, etc – at big discounts.

News & Media

Independent

In Lime Street station, the first familiar surroundings he had seen since the gale, an odd thing happened: he had a sudden, overwhelming realisation that he was alive, and started to cry.

We're five songs in before the opening bars of "Risingson" signal the first familiar track of the night and the audience's whoops are as much out of relief as recognition.

The first, familiar from classical logic, states that from \ \phi \supset \psi\) and \ \phi\), one may derive \ \psi\).

Science

SEP

The first familiar face I saw was that of Tawana Ellerbe, the darling of my class at corrections academy, who supervised the guests passing through security.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Studies were conducted by one of three hand-raisers with a second familiar experimenter assisting for videotaping during experiments or holding the wolf (in the barrier task).

Science

Plosone

In the second they were presented with 2 copies of a different novel object in a second familiar context.

In the second they were presented with two different copies of the same objects in the same positions in a second familiar context.

The second familiar-sounding dish that proved surprising was black pepper beef with broccoli.

News & Media

The New York Times

This shift to a linear representation is evident first with familiar number contexts and then subsequently with less familiar number ranges [ 17].

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reconsider its usage; typically, a more specific term related to recognition or introduction will provide greater clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "first familiar" when a more precise term, such as "initial acquaintance" or "newly recognized", would provide better context and clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first familiar" functions as a modifier, aiming to describe something encountered or recognized at the beginning. The Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not considered grammatically sound. It is intended to express the initial familiarity but lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first familiar" attempts to describe the initial stage of recognition or acquaintance. However, Ludwig AI flags it as not grammatically sound and advises caution. While examples can be found across diverse sources—including news, science, and wikis—clearer alternatives such as "initially recognized", "newly familiar", or "previously unknown" are recommended for enhanced clarity and precision. When crafting your writing, it's generally wise to replace "first familiar" with more specific and accurate phrasing, making the text easier for audience to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "first familiar" in a sentence?

While the phrase "first familiar" is not considered grammatically sound, you might use it to imply the initial stage of recognition. However, consider using alternatives like "initially recognized" or "newly familiar" for better clarity.

What's a clearer alternative to "first familiar"?

For improved clarity, consider alternatives such as "initially recognized", "newly familiar", or "previously unknown", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "first familiar" or "initially familiar"?

"Initially familiar" generally provides better clarity and is more grammatically correct than "first familiar". It clearly conveys the idea of the beginning stage of being acquainted with something.

In what contexts might I use "first familiar"?

While not recommended due to its ambiguity, "first familiar" could be used in informal contexts where you're implying the initial stage of recognizing something. However, strive for clearer alternatives in formal writing.

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: