for the first year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the first year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time starting from the beginning of something. For example, "The student received a full scholarship for the first year of college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe for the first year or two.

The New Yorker

Free, at least, for the first year.

The New York Times

1. Yale graduate school grades for the first year.

Yale University

Data were recorded for the first year after transplantation.

Stanford University

"It's dilutive, at least for the first year," he said.

The New York Times

For the first year the crackdown seemed to work.

The Economist

The application deadline for the first year is Jan . 31

The New York Times

"He was proven right for the first year," he added.

The New York Times

The man earnestly replies, "Just for the first year".

The New York Times - Arts

For the first year, ownership reverts automatically to RWE.

The Economist

MS. WEAVER: For the first year, we didn't even unpack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for the first year" to clearly define a specific timeframe when discussing introductory periods, initial performance, or temporary conditions. This helps avoid ambiguity about the duration you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "for the first year" when you intend to describe events that continue beyond the initial year. Be precise in your language to prevent misinterpretations about the duration of the activity or condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the first year" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying the duration or timeframe to which a particular statement or condition applies. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating that something is true or valid only during the initial year of a given period. Ludwig examples confirm the correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for the first year" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a temporal duration, typically the initial 12 months of a period. It functions to set a clear boundary, indicating that a condition, event, or policy is valid only during this starting phase. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "during the initial year" exist, "for the first year" remains a frequently used and easily understood way to define a specific timeframe. Therefore, it is important to use it with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the initial year

Replaces "first" with "initial", maintaining the focus on the beginning period.

for the introductory year

Similar to "initial year", stressing the start.

in the beginning year

Emphasizes the start of the period, rather than the sequence.

for the opening year

Highlights the inaugural nature of the year.

at the commencement year

A more formal alternative, focusing on the starting point.

for the first calendar year

Specifies that it is the first complete calendar year.

throughout the first 12 months

Specifies the duration more explicitly.

in the first annum

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative using "annum" for year.

during the freshman year

Commonly used in academic contexts to refer to a student's first year.

in year one

A shortened, less formal version.

FAQs

How can I use "for the first year" in a sentence?

You can use "for the first year" to specify a timeframe, such as, "The membership is discounted "for the first year", then the price increases".

What is a more formal alternative to "for the first year"?

A more formal alternative would be "during the initial year" or "in the commencement year". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "during the first year" instead of "for the first year"?

Yes, "during the first year" is also correct and often interchangeable with "for the first year", although it may imply a slightly different emphasis on the events occurring within that timeframe.

What's the difference between "for the first year" and "in the first year"?

"For the first year" often indicates a condition or state that lasts throughout the initial year, while "in the first year" generally refers to events or occurrences that take place at some point during that year. For example, "Tuition is waived "for the first year"" versus "He struggled "in the first year" of his business".