first time since

USAGE SUMMARY

"first time since" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide a comparison between two points in time and emphasize that something is happening after a long period of time. For example: "This is the first time since the lockdown began that restaurants are allowed to open their doors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Boston is back for the first time since 1999, Chicago for the first time since 1997 and the Islanders for the first time since 1994.

The New York Times - Sports

East for the first time since 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

for the first time since the early 1990s.

The New York Times

For the first time since Feb.

The Washington Post

Unemployment dipped below 4% for the first time since 2008.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Umenyiora practiced Wednesday for the first time since the operation.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

State goes 5-0 firstirstimeme since 1991.

The New York Times - Sports

Buffalo is 4-0 for the first time since 1992.

The New York Times

Ogden practiced Tuesday for the first time since last season.

The New York Times - Sports

He won for the first time since May 19.

The New York Times - Sports

He sat out for the first time since June 22.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first time since" to highlight a significant gap or change in circumstances. It adds emphasis and provides context to the statement.

Common error

Ensure the tense following "since" correctly reflects the past event. Using the wrong tense can confuse the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first time since" functions as a temporal marker, indicating a recurrence of an event after a specific period. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it connects a present occurrence to a past event, highlighting the duration between them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first time since" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the recurrence of an event after a period. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to provide context by referencing a past event and indicating the duration between occurrences. It is found in various sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use the correct tense after "since" and consider shorter alternatives like "not since" for brevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not since

Shortened form focusing on the time passed since the last occurrence.

earliest occasion following

Replaces "first time" with "earliest occasion" and "since" with "following", changing the wording while keeping the meaning.

initial instance post

Substitutes "first time" with "initial instance" and "since" with "post", altering the vocabulary for a slightly more formal tone.

inaugural occurrence after

Replaces "first time" with "inaugural occurrence" and "since" with "after", providing a more formal and less common alternative.

the last occasion before

Reverses the perspective to focus on the last time something happened before the current event.

not again until

Expresses a break in occurrence of an event until a specific point in time.

previously not until

Highlights that something did not happen until a specific point in time.

the preceding instance of

Shifts the focus to the instance preceding the present moment.

prior episode dating back to

Highlights the previous episode and its corresponding time.

a gap of time before

Indicates there was a break of time between two events.

FAQs

How can I use "first time since" in a sentence?

Use "first time since" to indicate that something is happening again after a period of time. For example, "This is the "first time since" the 1990s that the team has reached the finals".

What are some alternatives to "first time since"?

Alternatives include "not since", "earliest occasion following", or "initial instance post", depending on the level of formality you require. The phrase "not since" is a shorter and more direct way to convey the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "the first time since" or simply "first time since"?

Both are acceptable, but "first time since" is more common and concise. Adding "the" doesn't change the meaning significantly but can sound slightly more formal. For example, "This is "first time since" the beginning of the year".

What kind of events can be connected using "first time since"?

You can use "first time since" to connect a wide variety of events, such as personal experiences, sports achievements, economic changes, or political developments. The key is to provide context by specifying the time frame involved.