first of the day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first of the day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial occurrence or event of the day, often in contexts like meetings, tasks, or activities. Example: "Let's start with the first of the day, which is our morning briefing at 9 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A bogey, then, his first of the day.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Harvey's funeral was the first of the day.

The New York Times

With the 34th pick, their first of the day, the Patriots picked defensive back Patrick Chung.

The New York Times

Donald takes two careful putts to settle for a bogey, his first of the day.

The Guardian - Sport

It is worth noting, however, that 78 of those yards came on a single carry – Peterson's first of the day.

The Guardian - Sport

9.32am GMT 30th over: England 119-3 (Root 38, Morgan 22) A six! The first of the day!

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

In the second game, since you're almost immediately down to zero dollars, you begin to make your money back by, again, shifting crates only this time it's by hand with a coworker who grunts like he's birthing a gargantuan first-of-the-day shit, and is certifiably a wrench and two screwdrivers short of a toolbox.

Vice

In the second game, since you're almost immediately down to zero dollars, you begin to make your money back by, again, shifting crates – only this time it's by hand with a co-worker who grunts like he's birthing a gargantuan first-of-the-day shit, and is certifiably a wrench and two screwdrivers short of a toolbox.

Vice

Nana made out the cigarette-lighter flick, the deep, first-of-the-day inhalation.

The New Yorker

Another tin of herring, our second of the day.

The New Yorker

The derailment this afternoon was the second of the day.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first of the day" to clearly indicate the initial instance of something happening, whether it's an event, action, or item. For example: "The 7:00 AM meeting is the "first of the day", so be punctual."

Common error

While acceptable, "first of the day" might sound too informal in some business reports or academic papers. Consider using more formal alternatives like "the initial task" or "the day's commencement" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first of the day" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is the initial or earliest occurrence within a day. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

General Usage

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first of the day" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the initial occurrence of something within a given day. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to specify temporal priority across various contexts, primarily in news, sports, and general usage. While its register is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of formality levels when choosing this phrase for specific writing contexts. Alternatives like "day's first" or "start of the day" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

day's first

Reorders the words to emphasize the day.

start of the day

Focuses on the beginning of the day instead of a specific item.

the day's beginning

Emphasizes the start as a general period.

initial for the day

Highlights the idea of something being the starting point for the day.

opening of the day

Implies a formal start or commencement.

day's inaugural

Adds a sense of importance or ceremony.

the day's premier

Highlights something as the most important or first-rate event.

earliest of the day

Focuses on the time aspect of being the first.

day's original

Suggests the first item is also unique or groundbreaking.

the day's kickoff

Implies the beginning of an activity or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "first of the day" to describe the initial event or action. For example, "The morning coffee is always the "first of the day" I look forward to."

What are some alternatives to "first of the day"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "day's first", "start of the day", or "initial for the day".

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

While grammatically correct, "first of the day" might be considered informal for certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "the initial task" or "the day's commencement" in those situations.

What does "first of the day" typically refer to?

"First of the day" usually refers to the first activity, event, or item that occurs during a particular day. For example, "The early bird gets the worm, and the "first of the day" is a prime opportunity."