first time doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'first time doing' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that the person has never done before. For example, "This is the first time doing a marathon for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was my first time doing that".

The New York Times

It's also my first time doing this.

The New York Times

This is actually my first time doing it this year.

The Guardian - Money

"Is this your first time doing the Paris shows?" he asked.

The New Yorker

RJ: And was that your first time doing an English accent?

The Guardian - Film

But this was his first time doing it with the Yankees.

The New York Times

"This is my first time doing it, but it's just so ridiculous," she says.

The Guardian

My first time doing it gave me goosebumps: I am with her.

The New Yorker

The group regularly performs, but this was their first time doing so out of doors and before a paying public.

The Economist

It's his first time doing heroin, alongside two people, a man and a woman, that he's in love with.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I… have seven years… clean and sober...  this is my first time… doing the drugs… in over.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with possessive pronouns such as "my", "his", or "their" to clearly attribute the experience to a specific subject.

Common error

Avoid overusing the structure "first time to do" when "first time doing" sounds more natural. While both can be used, the gerund form often flows better in modern prose when describing a personal experience. For example, "It was my first time doing yoga" is often preferred over "It was my first time to do yoga" in informal and media contexts.

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "first time doing" serves as a complex noun phrase modified by a gerund. Ludwig confirms that this structure functions as a complement or a subject in a sentence, establishing the temporal context of an action. It is frequently preceded by a possessive adjective or the verb "to be".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "first time doing" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to signal the beginning of a new journey or a single novel experience. Ludwig AI identifies it as a staple in contemporary media, frequently appearing in the world's most prestigious newspapers to provide context for personal or professional debuts. Whether you are writing a memoir, a news report, or a helpful guide, this phrase effectively communicates a lack of prior experience while maintaining a clear and natural tone. By using alternatives like "initial attempt at" for formal reports or "debuting in" for public events, you can further refine your writing to match the specific context of your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing for the first time

Shifts the emphasis to the action itself through a prepositional structure

first experience doing

Highlights the experiential aspect rather than just the timeframe

first time performing

Used specifically for actions that involve a skill, display, or specific task

first time executing

Adds a technical or formal tone to the completion of a task

initial attempt at

More formal and suggests that further attempts may follow

first instance of doing

Clinical or analytical phrasing often found in reports

debuting in

Appropriate for public performances or professional releases

new to doing

Focuses on the subject's lack of familiarity with the activity

starting out doing

Informal and emphasizes the beginning of a longer process

maiden attempt at

Idiomatic and slightly more literary in tone

FAQs

How to use "first time doing" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a new experience, such as "This is my "first time doing" a podcast". It is a common way to signal that you are a beginner or trying something for the first time.

What can I say instead of "first time doing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "initial attempt at", "first experience doing", or "new to".

Is "first time doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "first time doing" is perfectly correct and widely used in professional journalism. Ludwig shows numerous examples from The New York Times and The Guardian confirming its standard usage.

What is the difference between "first time doing" and "first time to do"?

The phrase "first time doing" emphasizes the continuous nature of the experience as it happens, whereas "first time to do" focuses more on the intent or the specific occurrence of the event.