is firstly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is firstly" can be used in written English.
It is particularly useful when introducing a list of items, points, or ideas. Example: My research plan is firstly to perform an analysis of the existing literature on the topic.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whatever the piece is: firstly he has outstanding technical ability.

Independent

It is, firstly, a quite beautiful game with abundant tongue-in-cheek charisma.

The Guardian - Tech

The message to the public is firstly that the risk to the general population is low.

The Guardian

What's interesting about seeing it in Berlin is firstly how differently the stories resonate.

The Guardian

"What we want is, firstly, internal balance, balance with our environment, with the community and between men and nature.

The Guardian

It is firstly a leader of exceptional quality who can restore a sense of confidence in the staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If that is the way they thought then it is firstly … abysmal psychiatry and secondly it is an appalling misjudgment.

The Guardian

For me, it is firstly about understanding the life of an African girl and what she really goes through.

The Guardian - Opinion

My tips for making the most out of an internship is, firstly, to listen to everyone in the building – their stories, guidance and advice.

The Guardian

As a second generation Pakistani-Scot, he implies he has a different politics and outlook from his father: he is firstly a Glaswegian.

The Guardian

A sliding surface functional is firstly constructed.

Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a series of points, use "is firstly" to clearly indicate the first item in the sequence, ensuring a structured and organized presentation.

Common error

Avoid using "is firstly" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternative phrases like "to begin with" or "in the first place" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is firstly" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase, signaling the initial point in a sequence or list. It is commonly used to structure arguments or explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is firstly" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase used to indicate the first point in a sequence, commonly found in science, news media, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard phrase to introduce an item in a list of reasons or arguments. When needed you can find alternatives like "first of all" or "to begin with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first of all

A direct synonym, emphasizing the first item in a list.

in the first place

Highlights the initial consideration or reason.

is primarily

Focuses on the main aspect or reason, rather than explicitly indicating the first in a sequence.

to begin with

Emphasizes the start of a discussion or series of points.

initially

Focuses on the chronological starting point.

first and foremost

Stresses the importance and priority of the point being made.

principally

Highlights the main or chief reason.

in the beginning

Focuses on the temporal start, similar to "initially".

as a starting point

Highlights a place to begin a process

the main thing is

Emphasizes the crucial aspect or consideration, deviating from the explicit sequencing.

FAQs

How to use "is firstly" in a sentence?

Use "is firstly" to introduce the first point in a series of arguments or steps. For example, "The main goal is firstly to understand the problem, and secondly to find a solution."

What can I say instead of "is firstly"?

You can use alternatives like "first of all", "to begin with", or "in the first place" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is firstly" or "firstly is"?

"Is firstly" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Firstly is" is less conventional and might sound awkward to native English speakers.

Is there a difference in formality between "is firstly" and "first of all"?

The phrase "first of all" is slightly less formal than "is firstly". Both are suitable for most contexts, but "is firstly" might be preferred in more academic or formal writing.