first year of

USAGE SUMMARY

"first year of" is a correct phrase in written English and can be used in various contexts.
It is often used to indicate the initial stage or beginning of a specific period of time or event. Example: I just finished my first year of college and I can't believe how fast it went by. In this sentence, "first year of" refers to the first year of college, highlighting the speaker's surprise at how quickly it passed. Another example: The first year of our marriage was filled with excitement and adventure. In this sentence, "first year of" refers to the first year of marriage, emphasizing the positive experiences the couple had during that time.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fig. 1 First year of Web usage by respondents.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

"First year of what?" "Sobriety".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ignore the first year of loss-making.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the first year of a 10-year effort".

The New York Times

The first year of marriage was pure bliss.

The New Yorker

Nutritional needs are greatest during the first year of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1971, it was Yogi Berra's first year of eligibility.

The New York Times

Both were nominated in their first year of eligibility.

The New York Times

In 2010, he experienced his first year of negative performance.

The New York Times

Students start by taking the first year of one program, and then the first year of the other.

The New York Times

The First Year of Grad School.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a recurring event or activity, use "first year of" to clearly indicate the initial phase. For example, "The "first year of" the program focused on establishing foundational skills."

Common error

Avoid using "first year of" when referring to a general timeframe rather than a specific event's beginning. Instead of saying "During the "first year of" life, babies grow quickly," which could be misinterpreted, specify the timeframe: "In their first year, babies grow quickly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first year of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase. It specifies the initial year or starting period of a particular activity, event, or state, as exemplified by the various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first year of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the beginning of an activity, event, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when referring to general timeframes rather than specific beginnings. Common alternatives include "initial year of" and "opening year of", as listed above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial year of

Replaces 'first' with 'initial', emphasizing the beginning nature of the year.

opening year of

Uses 'opening' to highlight the start or commencement of something.

inaugural year of

Emphasizes the formal beginning or establishment of an event or institution.

year one of

Numerically designates the first year, providing a straightforward alternative.

commencement year of

Highlights the start or beginning of a multi-year process.

early year of

Focuses on the initial or early stages within the first year.

premiere year of

Implies a debut or initial presentation, such as for a show or product.

the beginning of the year

Shifts the focus to the start of the calendar year rather than a specific period.

year of inception

Highlights the point at which something was created or began.

start year of

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize the beginning of a specific period or event.

FAQs

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

Use "first year of" to specify the beginning phase or initial period of a particular event or activity. For example, "The "first year of" college can be challenging for many students."

What are some alternatives to "first year of"?

You can use alternatives like "initial year of", "opening year of", or "inaugural year of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the year's first" instead of "first year of"?

While "the year's first" can be grammatically correct in different contexts, it doesn't always replace "first year of" perfectly. "The year's first" generally refers to an event that is the first to occur within a calendar year, whereas "first year of" refers to the initial year of a multi-year activity or condition.

What is the difference between "first year of" and "freshman year"?

"First year of" is a more general phrase applicable to various contexts, while "freshman year" specifically refers to the first year of high school or college. Using the term "freshman year" outside of an academic context can be confusing.