it was first employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was first employed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the initial use or application of a concept, method, or term in a specific context. Example: "The term 'artificial intelligence' was first employed in the 1950s to describe the field of computer science focused on creating machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the West, gongs have always been considered exotic instruments: although the word gong was known in the 16th century, its use is not further recorded until 1791, when it was first employed in orchestral music by the French composer François-Joseph Gossec.

Britannica

It was first employed in a theatre in 1837 and was in wide use by the 1860s.

Britannica

It was first employed (as humanismus) by 19th-century German scholars to designate the Renaissance emphasis on Classical studies in education.

Britannica

When it was first employed outside Madagascar in 2000, the system of rice intensification (SRI) was dismissed by a handful of scientists who questioned the legitimacy of the reported increased yields.

The Guardian

A late Ming manuscript, the Xiushilu, states that it was first employed for writing on bamboo slips, then for utensils for food, made of black lacquer, and subsequently for vessels for ceremonial use, of black with red interiors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The "America first" slogan is worrisome because it was first employed by fascist-sympathizing isolationists in the 1930s who thought Americans could tolerate the depredations and anti-democratic regimes of Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo and simply get on with business, protected by the moats of two oceans.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Back when the term was first employed, folks used it to describe organizations with less than five employees.

Forbes

Only later did I put it together that Alderson was where Mrs. Shriver was first employed as a social worker.

Huffington Post

Writer was first employed by Todd in 1955.

The New Yorker

He was first employed by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A few weeks after she was first employed, she was flown out to Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was first employed", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details about the subject and the circumstances of its initial use.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "it was first employed" without clearly establishing what "it" refers to. Always ensure the subject is explicitly defined in the preceding sentence or clause to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was first employed" functions as a declarative statement used to indicate the beginning or initial application of a particular method, technology, term, or concept. Ludwig AI examples show its application across diverse contexts, reinforcing this primary function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was first employed" serves as a clear and direct way to state the initial use of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various fields, including science, history, and technology. It is commonly found in encyclopedias, news articles, and scientific publications, making it a versatile choice for both academic and general writing. While alternatives like "it was initially used" or "it was first utilized" exist, "it was first employed" maintains a level of formality suitable for diverse writing contexts. Remember to always ensure clarity and context when using this phrase to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was first utilized

Synonymous, but "utilized" is often seen as slightly more formal than "employed".

it was initially used

Replaces "employed" with the more common "used", indicating a slight decrease in formality.

its initial use was

Similar to "it was initially used" but slightly more formal.

it was originally applied

Substitutes "employed" with "applied", focusing on the action of putting something to use.

it was first implemented

Emphasizes the execution or putting something into effect for the first time.

it was first introduced

Highlights the act of bringing something new into use or knowledge.

it was pioneered

Replaces the whole phrase, indicating the beginning of something completely new.

the first application was

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the application itself.

it originated as

Focuses on the origin of something, rather than its specific initial use.

it began as

Simplifies the phrasing to focus on the starting point or initial state.

FAQs

How can I use "it was first employed" in a sentence?

Use "it was first employed" to indicate the initial use of a concept, method, or tool. For example, "The technique of X-ray crystallography "it was first employed" to determine the structure of simple crystalline solids."

What can I say instead of "it was first employed"?

You can use alternatives like "it was initially used", "it was first utilized", or "it originated as" depending on the specific context.

Is "it was first employed" formal or informal?

"It was first employed" is generally considered to be a neutral to formal phrase. It is appropriate for academic, professional, and news contexts, but may sound slightly stilted in very informal settings.

What is the difference between "it was first employed" and "it was first implemented"?

"It was first employed" generally refers to the initial use of something, while "it was first implemented" suggests the initial putting into practice or execution of something, such as a plan or system.