in the first items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the first items" is not correct and may be unclear in written English.
It could be used when referring to specific items in a list or sequence, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "In the first items of the report, we discussed the key findings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the first items all the benefits and drawbacks from round 1 were used as statement items to gain consensus on the attitudes of respondents concerning online and blended therapy.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What goes on in the creator's mind is already contained in the first item.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The next day, I brought in the first item for my bookcase, a small vase.

The New York Times

In the first item, she wrote that last spring a fraternity printed T-shirts showing a woman being roasted like a pig on a spit but that those responsible were not disciplined.

The New York Times

Most children in both age groups understood the split screen in the first item.

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

In the first item, a split screen was used to visualize simultaneity of actions.

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

The same results were observed in the first item of the bully scale.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Non-adaptive factors were used more often in the first item than subsequent items.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The resulting sum is reduced by following similar procedures to the ones mentioned in the first item.

Advances in Difference Equations

In the first item of the CCSQ, there were examples of LTIID "(such as … diabetes, arthritis or an allergy)".

Injury Epidemiology

Let be an -fold covering (e.g., as in the first item), and let be the orientable double covering.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "in the first items", specify the items directly if the number is small and relevant, for example: "In the first three items, we see a pattern."

Common error

Don't use "in the first items" without providing context or a specific number, as it can leave readers unsure about the exact scope you're referring to. Always specify a quantity or use more descriptive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the first items" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a specific subset of items within a larger group. It serves to identify elements located at the beginning of a sequence, list, or collection. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is not correct and may be unclear in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "in the first items" is understandable, it's generally considered grammatically awkward and lacks clarity, as Ludwig AI points out. It functions as a prepositional phrase to identify elements at the beginning of a sequence, but its purpose is better served with more precise language. Given its rarity and potential for misinterpretation, especially in formal contexts, it's best to opt for alternatives like "among the first items" or specify the number of items you're referring to. The phrase appears most frequently in science and news contexts, but even there, clearer phrasing is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among the initial items

Replaces "first" with "initial" maintaining the focus on the beginning of a list, and changes "in" to "among".

within the first few items

Adds "few" to specify a small quantity of the first items, adding more precision.

in the beginning items

Substitutes "first" with "beginning", which emphasizes the start, while keeping the overall structure similar.

among the opening items

Replaces "first" with "opening", changing the connotation to something being unveiled or introduced.

in the leading items

Changes "first" to "leading", implying the items are guiding or setting a direction.

at the head of the list of items

Provides a more descriptive and formal alternative, specifying a list explicitly.

initially, regarding the items

Restructures the phrase to start with an adverbial modifier and adds qualification.

with the foremost items

Uses "foremost" instead of "first", suggesting prominence or importance.

concerning the primary items

Shifts the focus to "primary", which highlights importance or main relevance.

regarding the first elements

Replaces "items" with "elements", changing the context to a foundational aspect.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "in the first items"?

Consider using more specific phrases like "in the initial items", "among the first few items", or explicitly state the number, such as "in the first three items."

Is "in the first items" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "in the first items" is grammatically awkward and can lack clarity. It's preferable to use clearer alternatives like "among the first items" or "in the beginning items" for better precision.

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

It's generally better to avoid "in the first items" due to its lack of precision. If you must use it, ensure the context makes it unequivocally clear which items you're referring to. Otherwise, opt for more explicit phrasing.

How does "in the first items" differ from "among the first items"?

"In the first items" is less precise and slightly awkward. "Among the first items" is often a better choice as it clearly indicates you are selecting from a group of initial items.