first line of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first line of action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial steps taken to address a situation or problem. For example, "The team's first line of action was to analyze the root cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He also said the Fed, through its control of monetary policy, was the "first line of action" to fight a downturn.

The New York Times

And in situations where institutional investors have concerns about governance, strategy or other aspects of a corporation, they will use behind-the-scenes, direct engagement with the corporation as a first line of action.

Harvard University

where corporations are pursuing subpar strategies that are unlikely to bring long-term success, encourage investors to use behind-the-scenes, direct engagement with those corporations as a first line of action.

Harvard University

Since its origins, cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) has become a focused and more effective alternative that can be approached from the first line of action by mental health teams.

European Psychiatry

To marshal its case for essentially eliminating the office, the city has amassed a wealth of data that show that there are too many cases similar to this one in which people use the Bronx office as a first line of action to get housing instead of the last resort.

The New York Times

He said the Federal Reserve, through its control of monetary policy, was the "first line of action" to fight a downturn and suggested that even cuts of the magnitude Mr. Bush has promised would likely have relatively little immediate impact on the nation's economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The second line of action involves the application of biosensors, namely aptasensors, which are highly specific against a target biomarker.

Bioinspired Materials for Medical Applications

This gives Mr. Sorkin a second line of action (and an office for discussions), allowing him to switch between Molly's high-flying past (shuffle, deal, play) and her present-day troubles.

The New York Times

This is the reason why sustainable forest management is assuming an increasing importance and represents the second line of action of every governmental institution to be added to their commitment to reduce CO2 emission.

Forest Ecosystems

A third line of action is exemplified by ConsensusPathDB (9), which integrates information from 38 sources, including 26 protein protein interaction compendia as well as 12 knowledge bases with 4873 pathways.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Once in Syria, Afghans are often in the first line of offensive action.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first line of action", ensure it clearly indicates the initial and most immediate response or strategy. It's especially useful when outlining a series of steps or procedures.

Common error

Avoid using "first line of action" in very casual conversations. Simpler terms like "first step" or "initial plan" may be more appropriate for everyday discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first line of action" functions as a noun phrase that typically identifies the initial strategy or measure implemented to address a problem or pursue a goal. Ludwig provides examples across varied contexts, from economic policy to healthcare.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first line of action" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed to describe the initial step or strategy in addressing a problem or achieving a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is well-suited for formal contexts, such as news reports, business communications, and academic papers. While it may not be ideal for casual conversation, its straightforward alternatives like ""first step"" or ""initial plan"" can offer a more accessible tone. When writing, ensure that "first line of action" clearly indicates the immediate response or approach, making it especially useful when outlining procedures or strategies. It is more common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial course of action

Emphasizes the beginning and the planned method, similar to "first line of action".

primary step

Highlights the step's importance as the initial move.

starting point

Focuses on the commencement of an activity, comparable to "first line of action".

initial response

Highlights the immediate reaction or countermeasure, similar to an action taken.

first measure

Suggests a preliminary action taken to address a situation.

initial approach

Focuses on the method or way of dealing with something at the beginning.

first move

Emphasizes the initiation of action, particularly in a strategic context.

preliminary action

Highlights the preparatory or introductory nature of the action.

initial tactic

Refers to the first strategy or method employed.

early intervention

Implies acting early to prevent escalation or worsening of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "first line of action" to describe the initial step taken to address a situation. For example, "The company's "initial course of action" was to assess the damage."

What's a more straightforward alternative to "first line of action"?

Alternatives include "primary step", "initial response", or "starting point", depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

Is "first line of action" suitable for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "first line of action" leans toward formal usage. In informal settings, consider alternatives like "first step" or "initial plan".

What's the difference between "first line of action" and ""first step""?

"First line of action" typically implies a strategic or planned approach, whereas ""first step"" is more general and can refer to any initial action, whether planned or not.