it should first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something must be done before any other actions or steps are taken. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, it should first be approved by the management team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Children are the country's greatest resource and if Turkmenistan strives to ensure the best future for its citizens, it should first ensure that children are well-educated, nurtured and protected," said UNICEF Turkmenistan Representative, Mahboob Shareef, at the event.

Unicef

As for the second source of value of supererogatory action, its optional nature, it should first be noted that such action must be voluntary (unlike obligatory action, which is often forced or enforced).

SEP

As Washington debates whether to increase aid to Yemen, it should first remember its duty to seek justice for those sailors — and to heed the broader national-security lessons from the attack.

The New York Times

"If South Korea truly does want to have talks, it should first change its confrontational stance rather than playing on words," a spokesman of the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea was quoted as saying on Sunday by the official Korean Central News Agency.

The New York Times

When a Codex Committee proposes to elaborate a standard, code of practice or related text within its terms of reference, it should first consider the priorities established by the Commission in the Medium-Term Plan of Work, any specific relevant strategic project currently being undertaken by the Commission and the prospect of completing the work within a reasonable period of time.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Which is to say that while Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" will be properly debated on the basis of its factual claims and cinematic techniques, it should first of all be appreciated as a high-spirited and unruly exercise in democratic self-expression.

The New York Times

These findings show that the supposition that "to understand the psychophysiological influences of meditation, it should first be conceptually denuded of its cultural and religious biases [ 9, page 2]" is highly misleading.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Before diving into it, you should first be familiar with what it actually is.

WikiHow

Our family thinks it should be first come, first serve.

Los Angeles Times

Just because you're excited by it doesn't mean it should go first.

The New Yorker

There are several reasons why it should be.The first is that reform is a seamless web.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it should first", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what 'it' refers to and what action should follow. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it should first" when the subject "it" is ambiguous or unclear. Always ensure the pronoun has a clear and immediate antecedent to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "It should first be checked", specify "The data should first be checked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should first" serves as an introductory element, signaling the priority of an action or consideration. It sets the order of operations or arguments, guiding the reader or listener to the initial step. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it should first" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that signals the importance of a preliminary action. It functions as an introductory element, ensuring a logical sequence of steps, and maintains a neutral to professional tone, depending on the context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various forms of written communication. When employing this phrase, it is vital to ensure that the subject "it" is unambiguous and that the sentence structure remains clear. Alternatives such as "first and foremost" or "initially" can be used to provide variety while preserving the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before anything else

Stresses the precedence of the action, indicating that nothing should happen before it.

first and foremost

Emphasizes priority and importance, often used to highlight the most critical action.

as a first step

Highlights the action as a preliminary measure, setting the stage for subsequent steps.

initially

Focuses on the beginning stage of a process or action, implying a sequence.

to begin with

Introduces the first point or action in a series, suggesting a structured approach.

to start off with

Signals the commencement of a process, similar to 'to begin with' but slightly more informal.

prior to that

Implies a chronological order, emphasizing the need to complete the action before moving on.

in the first place

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the action, suggesting it's essential for everything else.

primarily

Highlights the action as the main or most important one to address initially.

above all

Signifies the supreme importance of the action, indicating it outweighs other considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "it should first" in a sentence?

Use "it should first" to indicate a necessary preliminary action. For example, "Before implementing the new policy, "it should first" be reviewed by the legal team".

What are some alternatives to "it should first"?

Alternatives include "first and foremost", "initially", or "to begin with" depending on the context.

Is "it must first" interchangeable with "it should first"?

While similar, "it must first" implies a stronger obligation or necessity compared to "it should first". Choose the phrase that best reflects the required level of importance.

What's the difference between "it should first" and "firstly"?

"It should first" is a phrase used within a sentence to emphasize the initial action. "Firstly", on the other hand, is an adverb used to introduce the first point in a list or series of arguments.