first week of December

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first week of December" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial seven days of December in a specific context, such as scheduling or planning. Example: "We will have our meeting during the first week of December to discuss the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The first week of December brought another sharp decline.

The New York Times

Today: a two-week holiday in Goa, departing in the first week of December.

Independent

Earlier this winter, in the first week of December, I set sail for Antarctica.

The New Yorker

Peca is not due back from shoulder and knee surgery until the first week of December.

The New York Times - Sports

Clinton has not been seen in public since the first week of December.

The Guardian

In the first week of December, they sold more than 10,000 kits.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Landmark Square, first week of December 2012.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was in the first week of December 2014 when they brought about 13 Yazidi girls to us," Hamza says.

Independent

It was the first week of December 2000 and the crossroads of the Giants season was Washington's FedEx Field.

The New York Times - Sports

By the first week of December 2001 the DOJ was once again rounding up young Arab and Muslim males for deportation.

IZA Journal of Migration

In the first week of December 2009, Rodríguez re-joined the Criollos de Caguas in the PRBL.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, spell out the numbers. Instead of using abbreviations, write "first week of December".

Common error

Avoid assuming the "first week" always starts on the 1st of December. Clarify if you mean the first full week or the week containing December 1st, as these can differ.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first week of December" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or action takes place. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating a specific timeframe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first week of December" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the initial seven days of December. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, clarity is key: be specific with dates (e.g., "December 1st to 7th") to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "early December" offer conciseness but may sacrifice precision. Understanding these nuances allows for effective and accurate communication, ensuring your message is clear and well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early December

This alternative offers a more concise way to refer to the beginning of December.

the initial week in December

Adds emphasis to the 'initial' nature of the week in question.

start of December

Focuses on the commencement of the month rather than a specific week.

beginning of December

Similar to 'start of December', it emphasizes the initial part of the month.

first days of December

Highlights the initial few days, without specifying a full week.

December 1st to 7th

Provides a precise date range for the specified week.

week commencing December 1st

Defines the week by its starting date.

around December 1st

Indicates a time frame near the start of December, less specific than a week.

the week of December 1st

Highlights the week containing December 1st, rather than necessarily the first full week of December.

by December 7th

Indicates a deadline or event occurring no later than December 7th.

FAQs

How can I use "first week of December" in a sentence?

You can use "first week of December" to indicate a period of time. For example: "The conference is scheduled for the "first week of December"."

What's a more concise way to say "first week of December"?

Alternatives include "early December" or "beginning of December", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it better to specify dates instead of saying "first week of December"?

Specifying dates like "December 1st to 7th" can eliminate ambiguity, especially in contexts where precision is crucial.

Which is more formal, "first week of December" or "early December"?

"First week of December" is generally considered more formal than "early December", which is more conversational.