in the first direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the first direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing movement, orientation, or a sequence of actions that involve multiple directions. Example: "To reach the destination, you should start by heading in the first direction indicated on the map."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Across all block switches, an average of 2.1±0.1 rewarded trials occurred in the first direction before the critical inference trial occurred in the off-direction.

Nature

Go too far in the first direction and students tend to tune out; emphasize practical applications but shortchange the symbol twiddling, and students get a better sense of how math relates to the real world but can't solve a problem.

The New York Times

Either it can use its ancient privileges to cast a pale wash of religion over a secular society, making the necessary compromises; or it can morph into one or several minority subcultures, guided by their own particular lights, whose views are no business of politicians.Over women bishops, the church stepped in the first direction.

The Economist

While the earth moves in the first direction, the gods oversee the affairs of mankind.

SEP

Table 1 summarizes the evolution of the design of the optimal CSALT plan in the first direction.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Taking into account that the thickness of QDs is typically much smaller than their lateral dimension and therefore the electron motion in the first direction is much faster than in-plane motion, one can use the advantage of the adiabatic approximation [13] in which the wave function is presented as a product of two functions: Ψ m ρ, z = f ρ, z Φ m ρ ; m = 0, ± 1, ± 2, …, (3).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The triangles connected to that square indicate the two points used in the first direction-finding step.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

We will explore the first direction in future work.

Bioinformatics

Obama's Warren gesture should nudge some non-negligible number of evangelicals in the second direction.

The New Yorker

The method uses the sum of the multiplications of functions in one direction by functions in the second direction.

Analysis and Design of Plated Structures Dynamics

Stretching the nanotube-coated silicone a second time, in the direction perpendicular to the first direction, causes some of the other nanotube bundles to align in the second direction.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, clarify the starting point by using "in the first direction" to guide the user initially. This establishes a clear foundation before introducing subsequent steps.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on "in the first direction" without outlining the ultimate objective. Ensure you clarify the final goal to prevent readers from thinking the initial direction is the only direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the first direction" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the initial direction of an action or movement. Ludwig provides examples showing this usage in diverse contexts, such as physical movement, abstract processes, and experimental setups.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the first direction" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating an initial movement or orientation. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including scientific, news, and general instructions. While not exceedingly common, its use is straightforward, aiming to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. Though Ludwig identifies the phrase as correct and usable, be mindful of providing sufficient context beyond just the initial direction to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the primary direction

Replaces "first" with "primary", emphasizing importance.

in the original direction

Highlights that it is the original direction of movement or orientation.

initially oriented

Focuses on the initial orientation without explicitly mentioning direction.

in the forward direction

Focuses on moving ahead or advancing.

at the onset

Emphasizes the beginning or start of a process or movement.

in the leading direction

Suggests a direction that is ahead or in the forefront.

to begin with

Highlights the starting point or the initial action.

in the preceding direction

Focuses on the direction that comes before others.

at first

Simple and direct, indicating the initial stage or action.

in the initial heading

More specific to navigation and orientation.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the first direction" to indicate an initial movement or orientation. For example, "Start by moving in the first direction, then adjust as needed".

What is a good alternative to "in the first direction"?

Alternatives include "initially oriented", "at the onset", or "to begin with" depending on the context.

How does "in the first direction" differ from "in the second direction"?

"In the first direction" refers to the initial path or orientation, while "in the second direction" indicates a subsequent path or orientation following the first.

When is it appropriate to use "in the first direction"?

It's appropriate when providing step-by-step instructions or describing a sequence of movements, especially when clarity about the starting point is essential.