firstly

USAGE SUMMARY

'firstly' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are enumerating a list of things or points. For example, "Firstly, let's go over the agenda for the meeting, then we can address each item individually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Firstly to highlight what are the factors that link successful women, but also to give a voice to women of colour.

The Guardian

Firstly, run these commands to let Travis CI know your password.

The Guardian

Firstly, the rules against making threats have been tightened up.

The Guardian - Tech

Brett Pitman could not take advantage after Teddy Bishop had inadvertently put the ball in his path and that was followed by two smart saves from Bartosz Bialkowski, firstly from Ryan Fraser and then swooping to his right to deny Ritchie's 30-yarder.

The Guardian - Sport

"These are, firstly, the difficulty of identifying clearly the hand of a hostile state government in the subversive destabilising effects they bring to bear in the early stages of such a strategy," he said.

The Guardian

Firstly, because a great many first-time sufferers might not suspect that relief can come from books as well as boxes of pills.

The Guardian

She has reascended through the Labour ranks since Ed Miliband was elected as party leader, firstly as shadow communities and local government secretary before moving to her current energy and climate change brief.

The Guardian

"It's well known that the reason that women drink when they are pregnant is firstly because they don't know that it could harm the foetus, but also the stresses of life in this community".

The Guardian

Firstly Sandra Bullock explained to your mum how the world wide web worked in hit thriller The Net, and then Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie hoped to appeal to the yoof crowd with the aggressively over-styled Hackers.

The Guardian - Film

The authors start with ghosts, firstly explaining that the "cold chills" often experienced in haunted houses are actually just a result of poor insulation (no EU building regs in the olden days), and secondly noting the rather amusing paradox that ghosts are often portrayed as walking, despite having no physical body.

The Guardian

Firstly – I want them to think about what they can do give our country an even greater global profile.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "firstly", consider using "secondly", "thirdly", etc. for subsequent points to maintain consistency and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "firstly" without a corresponding "secondly" or "thirdly". If only presenting one point, "first" or "to begin with" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "firstly" functions as a sequencing adverb, signaling the beginning of a list or series of points. It introduces the initial element in an enumeration, setting up the subsequent points. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently used to structure arguments or explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "firstly" is a grammatically sound adverb used to introduce the initial point in a sequence or enumeration. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used in news and media, though it is appropriate across various writing styles. While some may prefer the shorter "first", "firstly" remains a perfectly acceptable choice. Remember to maintain consistency in your writing by using "secondly" and "thirdly" for subsequent points. If you're only making one point, "first" or "to begin with" might be a better alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first of all

This alternative is a common and slightly more emphatic way to introduce the initial point.

to begin with

This alternative is a more formal way of introducing the first point.

in the first place

This alternative emphasizes the order or priority of the point being made.

first and foremost

This alternative stresses the importance of the initial point above others.

to start with

This alternative is a less formal way to introduce the initial point.

initially

This alternative focuses on the temporal aspect of being the starting point.

primarily

This alternative emphasizes the main or most important point.

in the beginning

This alternative refers to the start of something.

at the outset

This alternative suggests the very beginning or start.

before anything else

This alternative highlights that this comes before all other considerations.

FAQs

How to use "firstly" in a sentence?

"Firstly" is used to introduce the first point in a series. For example, "Firstly, we need to address the budget concerns, then we can move on to the marketing strategy."

Is it better to use "first" or "firstly"?

While both are acceptable, "first" is generally considered more common and less formal. "Firstly" can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned, but is perfectly acceptable.

What can I say instead of "firstly"?

You can use alternatives like "first of all", "to begin with", or "in the first place" depending on the context.

Can I use "firstly" without a "secondly"?

While grammatically correct, it is generally best practice to use "secondly", "thirdly", etc. when you use "firstly" to maintain a consistent structure in your writing. If you only have one point, consider using "first" instead.