first up

USAGE SUMMARY

"first up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the order of occurrence of something or when you want to emphasize that something is the first in a list or series of things. For example: "First up, let's start with the basics of grammar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

First up, oil prices.

The New York Times

First up, halogens.

The New York Times

First up, Milan away.

Independent

First up: Peregrine Financial Group.

The New York Times

First up was Manchester United.

The New York Times - Sports

First up, the economy minister.

The New York Times

(Malin+Goetz is first up).

The New York Times

First up: the male cuckoo.

The New York Times

First up are the Jets.

The New York Times

First up: food and film.

The New York Times

First up, on Friday, is Montenegro.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first up" to signal the commencement of a list or sequence in a casual and engaging tone. It's particularly effective in presentations or informal writing where you want to immediately grab the audience's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "first up" in highly formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "firstly" or "initially" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first up" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the beginning or the first item in a sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It's used to introduce the initial point in a discussion or list, similar to adverbs like "firstly" or "initially".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first up" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that signals the beginning of a sequence or list, mostly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. While it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "firstly" or "initially" are recommended. To effectively employ "first up", use it to engage your audience in presentations or less formal writing, but avoid overusing it in highly formal documents to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firstly

More formal and direct, lacks the conversational feel.

to start off

More informal, but similar meaning.

to begin with

Similar in function, but more verbose.

number one

Directly indicates priority or sequence.

initially

Focuses on the start, less about immediate sequence.

in the first place

Implies a justification or reason, not just sequence.

at the beginning

Descriptive, lacks the punch of an introductory statement.

as a starting point

Emphasizes a foundation or base.

in the initial stage

More formal and emphasizes a phase.

the first item on the list

Very literal and less idiomatic.

FAQs

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

"First up" is commonly used to introduce the first item in a list or agenda. For example, "First up, let's discuss the budget for the next quarter".

What are some alternatives to using "first up"?

You can use alternatives such as "firstly", "to begin with", or "initially" depending on the context.

Is "first up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "first up" is widely accepted, it's generally more suited for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using "firstly" or "initially".

What's the difference between "first up" and "firstly"?

"First up" carries a more casual and immediate tone, often used in spoken language or informal writing to quickly introduce the first item. "Firstly" is more formal and typically used in structured, written content.