first to many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first to many" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sequence or a starting point leading to multiple outcomes, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "He was the first to many achievements in his career, paving the way for others."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also, there is a delayed release of energy from the radioactive decay of the fission products varying in half-life from fractions of a second to many years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fifth, to many readers the Laozi offers essentially a philosophy of life.

SEP

Sixth, to many people, Trump seems like a winner.

Huffington Post

The duration of enhancement after injection may last from a few seconds to many minutes, depending on the bubble type.

Cancer Imaging

In fact, the orchestra was the first to perform many of Shostakovich's symphonies.

The Economist

There would seem, at first, to be many alternatives to killing.

The New York Times

Getting in early made it possible to "be first to do many of the obvious studies".

Science Magazine

This new plane will be the first to test many of those principles.

TechCrunch

Not so, according to a trio of genomic studies, the first to analyze many full genomes from Australia and New Guinea.

Science Magazine

Hippocrates and his followers were first to describe many diseases and medical conditions.

Wikipedia

First, to how many repetitions of the stimulus does FCD refer to?

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express that something is the initial instance in a series, favor "first of many" instead of the grammatically suspect "first to many".

Common error

Avoid using "first to many" when you mean "first of many". The latter correctly indicates that something is the first in a series or group.

Linguistic Context

Based on the data provided by Ludwig, the phrase "first to many" is flagged as grammatically suspect. If one was to force a grammatical role, it would be as a modifier, attempting to describe something as the initial element related to multiple subsequent items or events, but the phrase lacks standard grammatical support.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, Ludwig identifies the phrase "first to many" as grammatically questionable. The intended meaning is to convey that something is the initial element in a series. However, the correct and preferred phrasing is "first of many". Due to the lack of clear usage examples and the "RESPONSE_NO" flag, it's advisable to avoid "first to many" in formal writing. Instead, opt for established alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of precise language use, particularly in professional or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first of many

This alternative replaces 'to' with 'of', indicating a starting point in a series.

the first among many

It emphasizes being the initial one within a larger group.

a pioneer for many

Suggests leadership or innovation benefiting numerous individuals.

the start for many

Indicates an initial event leading to multiple outcomes or experiences.

initial step for many

Highlights the beginning of a process affecting a large number.

first for numerous

Emphasizes being the earliest instance benefiting a wide array of recipients.

precursor to many

Implies an event or thing that comes before and paves the way for multiple subsequent occurrences.

the origin for many

Indicates the starting point or source affecting numerous things or people.

the genesis for many

Suggests the beginning or creation leading to multiple developments.

leading to many

Emphasizes the action of one thing resulting in many others.

FAQs

What is a correct alternative to "first to many"?

The correct and commonly used alternative is "first of many", which indicates that something is the initial item in a sequence or series.

How can I use "first of many" in a sentence?

You might say, "This award is the first of many to come," suggesting future awards are expected.

Is "first to many" grammatically correct?

No, "first to many" is not grammatically correct. The proper phrasing is "first of many".

What does "first of many" imply?

It implies that an event, achievement, or item is only the beginning and that more similar events, achievements, or items are anticipated in the future.