historic first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "historic first" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or groundbreaking event that marks the first occurrence of something important. Example: "The election of the first female president in the country was a historic first that inspired many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is a historic first.

The Economist

They accomplished the historic first in twin submersibles.

The New York Times - Science

With this generation of players flourishing, Farías hopes for a historic first in qualifying.

The New York Times

There couldn't have been a better winner of our historic first Open.

The New Yorker

IT WAS an "historic first for international law", according to Citizens for Global Solutions.

The Economist

By 2018, 65-year-olds, for example, will outnumber those under 5 — a historic first.

The New York Times - Magazine

It looked less like a historic first than a rerun, an archival clip.

The New York Times

"But we really wanted to be part of this historic first".

The New York Times

Dec. 17 will be the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' historic first flight.

The New York Times - Travel

It is a historic first, but the moment is full of awkwardness.

The New York Times

The historic first appearance of men's and women's British teams has garnered plenty of column inches.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "historic first", ensure the context clearly establishes why the event is significant and its potential long-term impact.

Common error

Avoid using "historic first" for minor or insignificant events. Reserve it for truly groundbreaking occasions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "historic first" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It usually precedes a noun, adding emphasis to its uniqueness and significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "historic first" is a powerful way to describe an unprecedented event of considerable significance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the event truly warrants such emphasis and consider related alternatives like "groundbreaking debut" or "first-ever event" for nuanced expression. Use it judiciously to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first-ever event

Directly states that the event has never happened before.

initial landmark

Signifies the start of something important, marking a key point in time.

groundbreaking debut

Highlights the innovative and pioneering nature of the event.

pioneering instance

Highlights the role of being a trailblazer and setting a precedent.

primary breakthrough

Highlights the event as a significant advance.

unprecedented beginning

Emphasizes the lack of prior instances, highlighting the novelty.

precedent-setting start

Emphasizes that this event will likely influence future events.

seminal moment

Focuses on the long-lasting impact and influence of the initial event.

inaugural edition

Implies the start of a series or recurring event.

original occurrence

Stresses the fact that it is the very first time something happens.

FAQs

How to use "historic first" in a sentence?

Use "historic first" to describe an event that is the very first of its kind and has significant importance. For example, "The mission to Mars was a "historic first" in space exploration".

What can I say instead of "historic first"?

You can use alternatives like "groundbreaking debut", "first-ever event", or "initial landmark" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "historic first" or "historical first"?

"Historic first" is generally preferred when emphasizing the importance and impact of the event. "Historical first" is less common but could be used to simply denote that it happened in the past.

Is "historic first" the same as "historical first"?

While similar, "historic first" emphasizes the importance and potential impact of an event. "Historical first" simply denotes its place in history as the first occurrence, without necessarily highlighting its significance.