it first used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it first used" is not correct in English; it should be "it was first used." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing the initial occurrence or introduction of something in a specific context.
Example: "The term 'internet' was first used in the early 1970s to describe a network of networks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It is also reviving the gong form it first used in 2007 in its Master Minute Repeater, manufactured in one piece and made from a special alloy.

The New York Times

Then it introduced corn that was resistant to its Roundup herbicide -- a trait it first used in soybeans, which allows weed killer to be liberally applied without fear of killing the plant.

The New York Times

How was it first used?

The New York Times

Beale is pinning his hopes on the device – named because of the computer industry's fascination with fruit, and because the program it first used was the Python.

The Guardian

It first used the term and continues to appoint a curator for each festival, having a single musician, group or fan choose every performer.

The New York Times - Arts

China has controlled the entire group since the 1970s, when it first used force to evict Vietnamese soldiers from the islands, a decade and a half before the shootout with Vietnam in the Spratlys.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

During exploration, it first uses εB of its total budget B to learn estimates of the workers' quality characteristics.

Artificial Intelligence

Perhaps, but, according to leading Vivaldi specialists, another modernist composer, Luigi Dallapiccola, said it first, using the number 600.

The New York Times - Arts

It first uses the two-dimensional Fourier transform to obtain the field distribution at the metal surface.

NDT & E International

It first uses a composite index methodology to measure knowledge intensive entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial opportunities at the national level.

Research Policy

You have to change it first using goodwill, then turn your mind to these groups.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the passive form "it was first used" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Do not use the active voice construction "it first used". This is grammatically incorrect and should be replaced with the passive form "it was first used".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it first used" functions as an incomplete clause. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is not correct English, it needs the auxiliary verb "was" to be grammatically sound: "it was first used".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it first used" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it was first used". Ludwig AI confirms this, advising the use of the passive voice. While examples exist across news, scientific, and wiki sources, it's crucial to use the passive construction for grammatical accuracy. Alternative phrases include "it was initially used" or "it was originally used". Always prioritize grammatical correctness to maintain clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was initially used

Changes the sentence structure to the passive voice and uses 'initially' instead of 'first' for emphasis on the beginning.

it was originally used

Replaces 'first' with 'originally' to highlight the initial purpose or context of use.

it was first employed

Substitutes 'used' with 'employed', which is a more formal term for utilization.

its first application was

Restructures the sentence to focus on the 'application' of something, indicating its initial use.

it pioneered the use of

Highlights the innovative aspect of the initial use, suggesting it was a groundbreaking application.

the first instance of its use was

Emphasizes the specific occurrence of its first use in a particular situation.

it marked the beginning of its use

Focuses on the start or commencement of its usage, highlighting the temporal aspect.

it saw its first use in

Describes the context or area where it was initially used or implemented.

it debuted in

Uses a term commonly associated with the introduction of products or technologies to indicate its first use.

the inaugural use of it occurred

Uses formal language ('inaugural') to denote the very first instance of use, often in official or significant contexts.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase "it first used"?

The grammatically correct form is "it was first used". For example, instead of "The company it first used this technology in 2010", say "The company "it was first used" this technology in 2010".

What's a simple substitution for the phrase "it first used"?

A simple substitution is to use "it was initially used" or "it was originally used".

Is "it first used" grammatically correct?

No, "it first used" is not grammatically correct. The correct passive form is ""it was first used"". The active form would require a subject before "it", such as "the team first used".

How does "it was first used" differ from "it pioneered the use of"?

"It was first used" simply indicates the initial instance of usage. "It pioneered the use of" implies innovation and being the first to apply something in a significant way.