first opportunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first opportunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the earliest chance or moment to do something. Example: "I will contact you at the first opportunity to discuss the project further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Trotters carved out the first opportunity.

Independent

My first opportunity was in Holland.

The New York Times

His first opportunity comes in Natal.

The Economist

His first opportunity represented his best.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is my first opportunity," Percival said.

The New York Times - Sports

At his first opportunity, he switched to orthopedics.

The New York Times

Francisco, of course, fled at the first opportunity.

The New Yorker

The first opportunity will come during the early, televised debates.

The New York Times

I hitchhiked to L.A. at the first opportunity.

The New Yorker

That became our first opportunity to help out.

The New York Times

This is our first opportunity to do it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first opportunity" when you want to emphasize the initial nature of a chance or possibility. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "first opportunity" interchangeably with phrases like "last resort". The former indicates an initial chance, while the latter suggests a final option after others have failed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first opportunity" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a preposition or verb. It identifies a specific moment or point in time when an action can be initiated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first opportunity" is a versatile and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote the earliest chance to perform an action. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently encountered in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives such as "initial chance" or "earliest chance" exist, "first opportunity" effectively communicates readiness and promptness. Avoid confusing it with idioms implying a last resort. Its frequency and straightforward nature make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial chance

Replaces "opportunity" with "chance", emphasizing the element of luck or possibility.

earliest chance

Substitutes "first" with "earliest", highlighting the temporal aspect.

initial possibility

Replaces both "first" and "opportunity" to give a slightly more formal tone.

maiden opportunity

Uses "maiden" to describe the initial nature of the opportunity, adding a slightly archaic or formal tone.

debut opportunity

Highlights the aspect of something being seen or used for the first time.

opening

A shortened, more direct way of saying "first opportunity".

the first chance available

Adds a sense of immediacy and readiness.

premier opportunity

Replaces "first" with "premier", suggesting a leading or important role.

primary opportunity

Indicates the main or most important chance.

an early opening

Implies a beginning or start, emphasizing the temporal aspect and the possibility to act.

FAQs

How can I use "first opportunity" in a sentence?

You can use "first opportunity" to indicate the earliest chance to do something. For example, "I will address this issue at the "first opportunity"".

What are some alternatives to "first opportunity"?

Alternatives include "initial chance", "earliest chance", or "initial possibility", depending on the context.

Is "first opportunity" formal or informal?

"First opportunity" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality largely depends on the surrounding language.

What's the difference between "first opportunity" and "best opportunity"?

"First opportunity" refers to the chronological order of a chance, while "best opportunity" refers to the most advantageous or suitable chance. They are not interchangeable; use "best opportunity" when emphasizing suitability.