first mention of

USAGE SUMMARY

"first mention of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used when discussing or introducing something that is being mentioned for the first time in a piece of writing or conversation. Example 1: In the first mention of her name, the protagonist's full name was revealed to be Clara Evans. Example 2: The first mention of the new policy caused quite a stir among the employees. Example 3: The first mention of the disease was in a small village in Africa. Example 4: The first mention of the new restaurant in town came from a glowing review in the local newspaper. Example 5: In his speech, the senator made the first mention of his plans for healthcare reform.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was the first mention of them.

The New Yorker

It is her first mention of "negroes".

The Guardian - Books

The first mention of "global warming" was 1983.

University of California, Berkeley

In that year there is the first mention of honorarium.

Cornell University

The first mention of illegal immigrants elicited boos.

The Guardian

Within five years came the first mention of emphysema.

The New York Times - Health

This was the first mention of the word "mold".

The New York Times - Magazine

This was the first mention of a card catalog in the United States.

Harvard University

We spoke for hours, and at the first mention of the 2000 election Gore stopped everything.

The New Yorker

What he meant: First mention of policy, and a clear marker.

Independent

At first mention of the bowl, he starts complaining of sharp pains.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first mention of" to highlight the novelty or originality of an idea, concept, or term within a specific text or conversation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that every subsequent use of a term or concept needs to be explicitly linked back to its "first mention of". Only emphasize the initial occurrence when it's relevant to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first mention of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, indicating the initial occurrence or introduction of a term, concept, or idea. Ludwig's examples show it is commonly used to pinpoint where something was initially referenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first mention of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to identify the initial occurrence of a term, concept, or idea, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is prevalent in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. To enhance clarity in writing, ensure the context clearly establishes what's being introduced. Common errors include misinterpreting subsequent references and assuming every use needs explicit linking. Alternative phrases include "initial reference to", "earliest record of", and "original citation of". Ludwig examples and the AI analysis underscore its role in highlighting novelty and originality within a discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial reference to

Focuses on the act of referencing something for the first time, instead of the action of mentioning.

earliest record of

Highlights the historical aspect of the first recorded instance.

original citation of

Emphasizes the citing or quoting of something for the first time.

debut of

Refers to the first public appearance or introduction.

first appearance of

Similar to 'debut of', focusing on the initial showing or presentation.

introduction of

Highlights the act of bringing something new into discussion or existence.

the inception of

Focuses on the beginning or commencement of something.

the genesis of

Implies the origin or creation point.

the dawn of

Suggests the beginning or start of an era or idea.

the birth of

Highlights the creation or emergence of something new.

FAQs

How can I use "first mention of" in a sentence?

Use "first mention of" to indicate the initial occurrence or introduction of a specific term, concept, or idea within a given context. For example, "The "first mention of" climate change in the report was in the third paragraph".

What are some alternatives to "first mention of"?

You can use alternatives such as "initial reference to", "earliest record of", or "original citation of" depending on the specific context.

Is it necessary to always specify the "first mention of" something?

No, it's not always necessary. You should only specify the ""first mention of"" when it's relevant to highlight the novelty, origin, or historical context of the term or idea you're discussing.

What's the difference between "first mention of" and "introduction of"?

"First mention of" refers specifically to the initial instance of something being mentioned, while "introduction of" implies a broader act of bringing something new into discussion or existence. The former is more about pinpointing the exact occurrence, while the latter is about the act of introducing.