it was first printed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was first printed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial publication of a document, book, or any written material. Example: "The manuscript was completed in 1920, but it was first printed in 1935."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was first printed in 1652.

Britannica

Prohibited in Russia, it was first printed in Berlin.

Britannica

Although Pu lived and died as an obscure provincial schoolteacher, his work gained fame when it was first printed some 50 years after his death, inspiring many imitations and creating a new vogue for classical stories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The other poem, "What is our life?," is now also said to be by Ralegh, although it was first printed anonymously as the lyrics for an air by Orlando Gibbons and then circulated, in the great majority of cases anonymously, in poetic miscellanies.

Columbia University

When it was first printed, in 1920, Ives also wrote a thirty-thousand-word essay, in which he explained that the piece was an "impression of the spirit of transcendentalism that is associated in the minds of many with Concord, Mass., of over a half century ago".

The New Yorker

He acknowledged that he omitted to include passages which he thought might be offensive to people still living and refused to include remarks about his wife "that didn't concern anyone else". The Diary of Anne Frank has sold 25 million copies in 55 languages since it was first printed in 1947.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Palestinian Talmud was first printed in Venice (1523 24).

Britannica

Instead of printing droplets successively, discrete droplet array with uniform intervals was first printed.

International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture

The original text was first printed in 1997 (ECE/TRANS/NONE/97/92).

Stanford University

The earliest surviving manuscript, from the 10th century, was first printed in 1554.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since 1986, when the photograph was first printed as poster, the image has been widely reproduced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was first printed", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was first printed by itself" without specifying when or where the printing occurred. Always provide additional context to make the sentence more informative and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was first printed" functions as a passive construction indicating when a particular work or document initially appeared in a printed format. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was first printed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the initial printing of a document or work. Ludwig AI analysis shows its frequent usage across various contexts, including encyclopedias, news media, and academic publications. While primarily neutral in register, it effectively conveys historical information about the origin of printed materials. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and providing context regarding the when and where of the printing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it originally appeared in print

Emphasizes the original appearance in printed form.

it was initially published

Focuses on the initial act of making something available to the public in print.

it debuted in printed form

Uses 'debuted' to highlight the first public appearance as a printed item.

the first edition was printed

Highlights the printing of the first edition specifically.

printing commenced with its first edition

Formal and emphasizes the beginning of the printing process.

its initial print run

Focuses on the first production of copies.

it saw its first printing

Similar meaning, but slightly more figurative language.

the original printing occurred

Highlights the occurrence of the original printing.

it was the first time it was in print

More descriptive and less concise.

the print origin was

More direct and focusses more on the print as a thing itself and on where it come from.

FAQs

What does "it was first printed" mean?

The phrase "it was first printed" means that something, such as a book, document, or artwork, was initially produced in a printed format at a specific time. It indicates the origin of its availability in a physical, printed form.

What is a good alternative to "it was first printed"?

Alternatives include "it was initially published", "it originally appeared in print", or "the first edition was printed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Example: "Although the manuscript was written in the 18th century, "it was first printed" in 1950."

Is "it was first printed" different from "it was first published"?

While similar, "it was first printed" emphasizes the physical act of printing, whereas "it was first published" emphasizes making the work available to the public, which could include digital formats as well as print.