first of the class

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first of the class" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who ranks at the top of their class in terms of academic performance or achievement. Example: "She graduated as the first of the class, earning the highest honors for her outstanding academic record."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

U Geminorum was the first of the class to be discovered, in 1855, by the English astronomer John Russell Hind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Marat was the first of the class to be reconstructed between 1928 and 8 April 1931.

Wikipedia

This was the first of the class of planets known as "hot Neptunes" to be discovered.

Wikipedia

A further challenge arose with the discovery of ferrocene, the iron analogue of rhodocene and the first of the class of compounds now known as metallocenes.

Wikipedia

Construction began in September 2003 at Mazagon Docks, Mumbai, with an initial expectation that the first of the class would be handed over to the navy by 2010.

Wikipedia

Before the first of the class had been delivered, the order was increased to thirty, with a second batch of ten ordered in September 1944.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A fifth of the class was foreign.

The New Yorker

The lower third of the class!

The New York Times

More than two-thirds of the class raised their hands.

The New York Times

The proportion of recipients is down from almost a fifth of the Class of 2016 last year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Only about a third of the class raised their hands, and then reluctantly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first of the class", ensure the context clearly indicates academic or performance-based ranking. Avoid using it in contexts where the ranking is ambiguous or undefined.

Common error

Avoid using "first of the class" when referring to general superiority without specific ranking criteria. The phrase implies a formal evaluation or comparison within a defined group, not simply being 'the best' in an arbitrary sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first of the class" functions as a noun phrase that identifies an individual who has achieved the highest ranking in their academic class. It is commonly used to denote academic excellence and achievement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first of the class" is used to denote the highest level of academic achievement within a specific graduating group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase, most frequently encountered in Wiki, News & Media, and Academic contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "top of the class" or "valedictorian", "first of the class" distinctly highlights ranking within a formal academic context. The phrase holds a formal to neutral register and is most effectively used when the context clearly involves academic ranking to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top of the class

This alternative indicates the highest rank in a class but uses a more common phrasing.

valedictorian

This alternative specifically refers to the student who delivers the farewell address at graduation, typically the highest-ranking student.

leading student

This alternative highlights the student's prominent position and academic excellence.

highest-ranking student

This alternative directly states the student's position based on their rank.

best student

This alternative emphasizes overall performance and excellence.

top-performing student

This alternative focuses on the student's excellent performance.

cream of the crop

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that signifies the best among a group.

elite student

This alternative emphasizes the student's high caliber and select status.

outstanding student

This alternative highlights the student's exceptional qualities and performance.

premier student

This alternative suggests the student is of the highest quality and stands out.

FAQs

How can I use "first of the class" in a sentence?

You can use "first of the class" to describe someone who achieved the highest rank in their graduating class, such as, "She graduated as "first of the class" and received numerous academic awards".

What is an alternative to saying "first of the class"?

Alternatives include "top of the class", "valedictorian" (if giving the farewell address), or "highest-ranking student".

Is it appropriate to use "first of the class" in a professional setting?

Yes, it is appropriate if you are referring to someone's academic achievements and ranking within a specific class or program. However, it should be relevant to the discussion and not used gratuitously.

What is the difference between graduating "first of the class" and being the "best student"?

Graduating "first of the class" implies a specific ranking based on academic performance, while being the "best student" is a more subjective assessment of overall skills, qualities, and contributions, which may not always align with formal ranking.