first imperative

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "first imperative" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the first part of a sentence that is written in the imperative mood, which is used to give orders or commands. You can use "first imperative" when discussing sentence structure and grammar, or when analyzing the use of imperative mood in a sentence. Example: In the sentence "Clean your room before dinner," "clean" is the first imperative, followed by the subject "your room" and the adverbial phrase "before dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Building European unity is the first imperative.

The Guardian - Opinion

If so, he was disobeying existentialism's first imperative – being true to yourself.

The Guardian - Books

She does everything else, too, but her first imperative is to cook for us.

The New Yorker

Mr. Theofanidis, at any rate, is mindful of the physician's first imperative: "Do no harm".

The New York Times - Arts

Parker's first imperative was to create a police force that was impeccably clean.

The New Yorker

You would think the first imperative would be to protect the children.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Despite the part a similar show played in his own career, he is sharply critical of the fame-first imperative that the current raft of reality TV shows appear to promote; moreover, he believes today's music industry methods are preventing artists from achieving true greatness.

The Guardian - Music

And that is the second imperative.

The New York Times

The second imperative is one of economic incentive.

The Guardian

The second imperative is that the sanctions game be revealed for an empty farce.

The New York Times

The second imperative is time: a long cooking time is what takes the stew from good to terrific.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first imperative" to establish a clear hierarchy of priorities, making it evident what must be addressed before other concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "first imperative" for trivial matters; reserve it for issues of significant consequence to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first imperative" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most crucial or essential requirement or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and its primary function is to emphasize the utmost importance of a particular task or principle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first imperative" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the most crucial action or principle in a given context. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is useful to set priorities and direct focus to the most indispensable action. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "primary necessity" and "utmost priority". When using "first imperative", ensure that it clearly identifies the most critical action to be taken.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary necessity

Focuses on the essential need or requirement, similar to "first imperative".

utmost priority

Emphasizes the highest level of importance or urgency.

chief obligation

Highlights a key duty or responsibility.

principal task

Indicates the main job or assignment.

leading requirement

Stresses the foremost condition or prerequisite.

initial demand

Refers to the first claim or expectation.

foundational need

Underscores the basic and essential requirement.

fundamental concern

Highlights the most important matter of interest or worry.

overriding concern

Emphasizes the most dominant issue or worry.

key responsibility

Emphasizes a major duty or area of accountability.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "first imperative" in a sentence?

The phrase "first imperative" should introduce the most important action or consideration. For instance, "The "first imperative" is to ensure everyone's safety."

What are some alternatives to "first imperative" that I can use?

You can use alternatives such as "primary necessity", "utmost priority", or "chief obligation" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "first imperative" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "first imperative" leans towards formal language. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "most important thing" or "main priority" might be more suitable.

What distinguishes "first imperative" from "important" or "necessary"?

"First imperative" implies not just importance or necessity, but a foundational and indispensable requirement. It suggests that other considerations depend on fulfilling this first imperative.