in the first column

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the first column" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as "The data is listed in the first column of the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the first column of your spreadsheet, enter 71 million.

The Washington Post

And now given that it's in the first column, I'll try and put the next queen down in the first column.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Well, now can I put the next queen down in the first column?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It also expects every gene to have an Orf, or UID in the first column.

Stanford University

So I'll try and put a queen down in the first column.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Extrapolation relative errors are shown in the first column and interpolation ones in the second one.

Nature

When I fell over in the first "Column" in 1962, was I desperate to get out?

The New York Times - Arts

For example, in the first column he maintains that "The Earth's temperature peaked in 1998.

The Guardian

In the first column, list groups involved in and affected by outsourcing (i.e. American workers).

The New York Times

List all the plans that Mr. Bush outlined in his speech in the first column.

The New York Times

a y k in the first column.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the first column" when you need to explicitly indicate that you are talking about the initial column on the left of any data table, spreadsheet or visual representation of information.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows which column is considered the "first column" in contexts where column order might be ambiguous or dependent on user-defined settings. Always clarify the context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the first column" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies the location or position of information within a table, spreadsheet, or visual data representation. Ludwig confirms its widespread use and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Academia

18%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the first column" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to specify the location of information within structured data layouts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and journalistic domains. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the "first column" to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "in the leftmost column" or "within the initial column" can add variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the leftmost column

Replaces "first" with "leftmost", emphasizing the position on the left side.

within the initial column

Substitutes "first" with "initial", offering a more formal tone.

in the leading column

Replaces "first" with "leading", indicating the column that comes before others.

in the column one

Uses the numerical "one" instead of "first", providing a more direct reference.

contained in the starting column

Replaces "first" with "starting", emphasizing the beginning point.

located in the primary column

Substitutes "first" with "primary", highlighting the column's importance.

appearing in the first vertical row

Specifies "vertical row" instead of "column", clarifying the orientation.

in the column at the beginning

Rephrases the phrase to indicate the column at the start.

within the foremost column

Replaces "first" with "foremost", implying prominence and position.

in the column designated as number one

Provides a more explicit and descriptive way to identify the first column.

FAQs

How can I use "in the first column" in a sentence?

You can use "in the first column" to specify where certain data or information is located within a table or spreadsheet. For example, "The names of all participants are listed "in the first column"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the first column"?

Alternatives include "in the leftmost column", "within the initial column", or "in the leading column", depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in the 1st column" instead of "in the first column"?

Both "in the first column" and "in the 1st column" are generally acceptable. "In the first column" is more formal, while "in the 1st column" is a common abbreviation, particularly in technical documentation.

What's the difference between "in the first column" and "in the prior column"?

"In the first column" refers specifically to the leftmost column, while "in the prior column" refers to the column immediately preceding the current one. They are not interchangeable.