must come first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must come first" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is a priority or should be prioritized over other things. Example: "In any project, safety must come first to ensure the well-being of all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Black people must come first".

The New York Times

They must come first.

The Guardian

The people's health must come first.

The Guardian

But safety must come first".

The Guardian - Sport

French people must come first.

The Guardian

The apology must come first.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Or since 1917? 2. Which war must come first?

The Guardian

"Safety must come first".

BBC

Customer Trust Must Come First.

Huffington Post

Success requires your work must come first….

The New Yorker

Stability, goes the argument, must come first.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must come first", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being prioritized and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the persuasive impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid stating that something "must come first" without explaining why it holds such importance. Failing to provide reasoning weakens your argument and can confuse your audience. Always support your claim with a clear justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must come first" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is of utmost importance and should be prioritized above other considerations. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must come first" serves as a powerful tool for indicating priorities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. As evidenced by the numerous examples, the phrase is frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts, conveying a sense of urgency and importance. Remember to clearly articulate why something "must come first" to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your argument. Alternatives like "should take precedence" or "is the first priority" offer nuanced ways to express prioritization, depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be prioritized

Replaces the imperative "must come first" with a recommendation, softening the tone slightly.

should take precedence

Uses a more formal and emphatic tone to indicate that something is more important than something else.

should be given priority

Similar to "should be prioritized", but emphasizes the act of giving something precedence.

is the first priority

States directly that something is the most important thing to consider.

is of utmost importance

Highlights the extreme significance of something, implying it should be addressed before other matters.

takes precedence

A more concise way of saying something is more important and should be handled first.

is paramount

Emphasizes that something is of supreme importance and thus must be considered first.

is essential

Indicates that something is absolutely necessary and therefore should be addressed first.

requires immediate attention

Highlights the urgency of something, suggesting it needs to be dealt with before other things.

demands immediate action

Similar to "requires immediate attention", but emphasizes the need for action.

FAQs

How can I use "must come first" in a sentence?

Use "must come first" to emphasize the importance or priority of something. For example, "In project management, planning "must come first" to ensure successful execution."

What are some alternatives to saying "must come first"?

You can use alternatives like "should take precedence", "should be prioritized", or "is the first priority" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "should come first" or "must come first"?

"Must come first" indicates a higher degree of necessity or obligation compared to "should come first". Use ""must come first"" when the priority is non-negotiable or critical, whereas "should come first" suggests a recommendation.

What's the difference between "must come first" and "is essential"?

While both indicate importance, ""must come first"" implies a sequence or order of actions, suggesting that something needs to be addressed before others. "Is essential" simply denotes something as necessary or crucial, without necessarily implying sequential priority.