first place

USAGE SUMMARY

"first place" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the highest ranking achievement in a competition, such as "She won first place in the spelling bee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He took first place.

The New Yorker

The film took first place.

The New Yorker

First place went to Seattle.

The New York Times

The first place I visited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cantonese remains in first place.

The New York Times

She finished — in first place.

The New York Times - Sports

They share first place.

The New Yorker

Out of first place.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Official first-place money was $1,500.

Forbes

A First-Place Applicant.

Vice

Roberts won with 16 first-place votes.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first place" to clearly and concisely denote the top position in a competition or ranking. It leaves no room for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "first place" when simply referring to an initial location or order in a sequence. Use "first" or "initially" instead. For example, say "The first step is..." not "The first place is..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first place" functions as a noun phrase indicating the position of the winner in a competition or ranking. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use in various contexts to denote the highest achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sports

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first place" is a common and straightforward way to denote the top position in a competition or ranking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While it is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it appropriately, distinguishing it from simply indicating the "first" item in a sequence. Remember to consider alternatives like "top spot" or "number one" for varied phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top spot

Indicates the highest position, often used in sports or competitions.

number one

A more general term for being the best or highest ranked.

leading position

Highlights the act of being ahead or in the forefront.

gold medal position

Specifically refers to winning a gold medal, often in athletic events.

in the lead

Describes being ahead of others in a race or competition.

pole position

Used in racing to denote the starting position in the front.

at the top of the leaderboard

Indicates leading a competition tracked by a leaderboard.

champion's position

Refers to the place held by the champion or winner.

winning slot

The position that guarantees a win.

front rank

Indicates being in the foremost position, not necessarily related to competition.

FAQs

How is "first place" used in a sentence?

"First place" is used to denote the top position in a competition or ranking. For example, "She won "first place" in the race".

What are some synonyms for "first place"?

Alternatives include "top spot", "number one", or "leading position", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in first place" or "at first place"?

While "in first place" is more common and generally preferred, "at first place" can also be used, though it is less frequent.

What's the difference between "first place" and "second place"?

"First place" indicates the winner or top performer, while "second place" indicates the runner-up or the next best performer.