my first thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my first thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial task or priority you want to address or discuss. Example: "Before we move on to the next topic, let me share my first thing that I want to highlight in this meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

So, that was my first thing, at the firm level.

Yale University

According to Timbaland: "DeVante and Jodeci, that was my first thing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"My first thing is always to pay things off," Mr. Cochran said.

The New York Times

Speaking of a disturbance with a rival gang, Sico of the Payback Crips says, "My first thing was, you know what I'm saying, go get the guns".

The New York Times - Arts

"And so my first thing I say, it's going to cost more and I want to pay for my food.

The New York Times

I started watching a lot more comedy from 2004 when I did my first thing in the comedy section of the brochure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But with my second, things are different.

Huffington Post

The justice came to my desk first thing the next morning.

The New York Times

"Control my emotions, first thing," the 28-year-old Washburn said yesterday at Yankee Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

"I expect one name in an envelope on my desk first thing".

The Guardian - Sport

"When I come back from my work, first thing I see when I open the door of the house is him," Djokovic said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my first thing", ensure the context clearly indicates what follows will be addressed or acted upon before other considerations. It's most effective when introducing a primary action, thought, or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "my first thing" when introducing a series of complex, interdependent steps. This phrase works best when the initial action is relatively straightforward and can be easily isolated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first thing" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a primary action, consideration, or priority. It often serves as a subject complement or a direct object, signaling the initial focus of attention, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my first thing" is a versatile phrase commonly used to introduce an initial action, priority, or consideration. As Ludwig AI points out, it enjoys a status of grammatical correctness and is frequent in News & Media and Academia. While it is typically neutral, the level of formality is determined by context, with more professional environments potentially benefiting from alternatives like "my initial priority" or "my primary objective". Therefore, when using this phrase, ensure that it introduces a clearly defined action and is suitable for the overall tone of the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial priority

Emphasizes the order of importance, focusing on what takes precedence.

my primary objective

Highlights the goal or aim that is being pursued initially.

my opening move

Suggests a strategic or tactical action taken at the beginning.

my starting point

Focuses on the place from which an activity or discussion commences.

my initial step

Highlights the very first action taken in a series of actions.

what I'd do first

Shifts to a conditional construction, emphasizing the speaker's intended action.

the first item on my agenda

Specifies a formal list of tasks to be addressed.

my leading concern

Highlights the most important worry or issue.

my foremost thought

Focuses on the initial idea or consideration.

the main thing I want to do

Uses a more explicit and less concise expression to convey a primary intention.

FAQs

How can I use "my first thing" in a sentence?

Use "my first thing" to introduce the initial action, thought, or consideration you want to address. For example, "My first thing is to acknowledge everyone's hard work."

What can I say instead of "my first thing"?

You can use alternatives like "my initial priority", "my primary objective", or "my opening move" depending on the context.

Is "my first thing" formal or informal?

"My first thing" can be used in both formal and informal settings, but consider context. In very formal situations, alternatives like "my primary objective" or "the first item on my agenda" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "my first thing" and "my first thought"?

"My first thing" generally refers to an action or task you plan to do initially, while "my first thought" refers to an initial idea or consideration. The former is about action, the latter about cognition.