first of many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first of many" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that is a part of a larger group of similar things, emphasizing that it is the first of many. For example, you could say, "This is the first of many successes our team will have in the coming year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hopefully the first of many!

The New York Times

Hopefully, it's the first of many".

The New York Times - Sports

It was the first of many inexactitudes.

The Economist

"The first of many," Ms. Hempel said.

The New Yorker

It should be the first of many.

The Economist

"The first of many," Stoudemire promised.

The New York Times - Sports

"Hopefully the first of many to come".

The New York Times - Science

This could be the first of many.

The New York Times - Arts

"The first of many," it read.

The New York Times - Sports

First of many I suspect.

The Guardian - Film

A band's first of many chart appearances?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first of many" to express optimism or expectation about future events following a similar pattern. It adds a positive outlook.

Common error

Avoid using "first of many" when referring to a unique, unrepeatable event. It implies a series of similar occurrences is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first of many" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (such as successes, attempts, etc). Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sports

20%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first of many" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily functioning to indicate that a particular event is the initial one in a series of similar occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptability. It's commonly used in News & Media and Sports contexts, expressing optimism and anticipation. Alternatives include phrases like "one of many to come" or "just the beginning". When employing this phrase, ensure you are referring to situations where a recurring pattern or series is genuinely expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just the beginning

Emphasizes that what has happened is only the start.

the first of several

Indicates a limited number of future occurrences.

one of many to come

Focuses on future occurrences, less about it being the initial event.

precursor to many more

Highlights the introductory nature, suggesting further events will follow.

beginning of a series

Explicitly states the start of a sequence.

opening of many

Highlights the initiation.

a sign of things to come

Implies future events will be similar to the present one.

first in a succession

Stresses ordered sequence.

initial in a long line

Highlights the position in a sequence.

maiden of many

More poetic/figurative, emphasizing origin.

FAQs

How to use "first of many" in a sentence?

You can use "first of many" to indicate that something is the initial event in a series of similar occurrences. For example, "This award is hopefully the "first of many" to come".

What can I say instead of "first of many"?

You can use alternatives like "one of many to come", "just the beginning", or "precursor to many more" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "first of many" in formal writing?

Yes, "first of many" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its suitability depends more on the context and intended tone than the formality of the writing.

What's the nuance of saying "first of many" versus "beginning of many"?

"First of many" emphasizes the position in a sequence, whereas "beginning of a series" highlights the commencement or origin of a sequence.