my first time

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first time" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically implies a sense of novelty or inexperience, and can be used in many contexts. For example: "Going to the beach was my first time on a tropical vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was "my first time".

Stanford University

Especially my first time out.

The New York Times

"My first time," he said.

The New Yorker

ANDY RODDICK:  My first time?

The New York Times

It's my first time".

The New Yorker

My first time there.

The New York Times - Magazine

You know, this is my first time".

The New Yorker

"It is my first time," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was my first time overseas.

The New York Times - Sports

That was my first time in court".

The New York Times

It was my first time doing that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my first time" to clearly and concisely convey the novelty of an experience. It works well in personal anecdotes and informal communication.

Common error

While acceptable in most situations, avoid overusing "my first time" in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing like "my initial experience" or "on my first occasion" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first time" functions as a nominal phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an adverbial modifier. It identifies or describes an initial experience. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its versatile use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my first time" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote an initial experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and widespread across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While perfectly acceptable in most situations, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "my initial experience" in professional or academic writing. The phrase effectively conveys novelty and personal connection, making it a valuable tool in both informal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing it for the first time

Rephrases the idea using a more descriptive and less idiomatic structure.

my initial experience

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "time" with "experience" and "first" with "initial".

when I first tried it

Focuses on the act of trying something, implying novelty.

my debut

Implies a formal introduction or public appearance.

virgin experience

More emphatic and less common, highlighting the newness and unfamiliarity.

the first occasion I

More formal and verbose way of expressing the idea.

newbie's introduction

Uses informal language implying someone new to an activity.

first-time occurrence

Focuses on the event itself being new, rather than the personal experience.

unfamiliar territory

Metaphorically describes the experience as entering unknown territory.

initiation

Implies a formal or significant introduction to a new experience or group.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "my first time" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "my initial experience", "on my first occasion", or "my debut" depending on the specific context.

What's a more casual way to say "my first time"?

Informal alternatives include "when I first tried it" or "newbie's introduction", which can be suitable for friendly conversations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "my first time"?

Yes, "my first time" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI also confirms its usability and correctness.

When should I avoid using the phrase "my first time"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "my first time" in highly formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated tone is expected. Choose more precise and descriptive language instead.