on first time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on first time" can be used in written English in certain contexts.
For example, you might say, "I was nervous about meeting my new boss on first time."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Spot on first time.

The Guardian - Sport

The ref, however, got it spot on first time.

The Guardian - Sport

The bridge would limit the potential for abuse and could be regulated similarly to regulations put on first time opioid prescriptions in other settings.

Harvard University

But the lack of new homes coming onto the market has put the squeeze on first time buyers and threatens to consign mass homeownership to the history books".

Independent

One hour off offer valid for new customers on first time bookings only.

TechCrunch

You're probably wondering why the emphasis on first time attendance?

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The patriotically named "Piracy Protection Act," if passed, will slap up to a $1,000 fine on first-time offenders, who also risk a one-year jail sentence.

TechCrunch

Over time, one convention emerged that helped reduce the challenge: the focus on first-time, full-time students.

Huffington Post

We focus the analysis on first-time testers because they provide the clearest indication of how learning one's HIV status affects health-seeking and disease incidence.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Another forecasting tool is the weekly report on first-time unemployment claims.

The New York Times

Currently, federal education statistics generally focus on first-time full-time students.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing regulations or prescriptions, it is more natural to use "for first-time" as an adjectival phrase, for example, "regulations for first-time opioid prescriptions".

Common error

Avoid using "on first time" when "for the first time" would be a more standard and easily understood alternative. Sticking to the common phrase enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on first time" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the timing of an event. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is used, but less commonly than alternatives such as "for the first time".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on first time" is grammatically acceptable, it is less common and often less clear than the alternative "for the first time". Ludwig AI analysis shows its infrequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and formal documentation. When writing, it's advisable to use "for the first time" to ensure clarity and avoid potential ambiguity. Though "on first time" is seen, it's best to consider if you can use a better alternative like "for the first time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the first time

This is the most direct and common alternative, emphasizing the newness of an experience.

the very first time

Adds emphasis to the uniqueness of the first experience.

initially

A single-word adverb conveying the meaning of "at first".

at first

Indicates what happened or was true initially, often implying a change later.

upon initial experience

Highlights the point of the first encounter or exposure.

when first starting

Emphasizes the action of beginning something.

at the outset

Focuses on the very beginning or start of something.

at the first instance

Formal way of referring the very first occurence of something.

in the beginning

Similar to "at the outset" but with a broader sense of time.

in the early stages

Refers to the first phase of a process or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "on first time" in a sentence?

While "on first time" is acceptable, consider using the more common phrase "for the first time". For example, you could say, "I felt nervous for the first time" instead of "I felt nervous on first time".

What is a good substitute for "on first time"?

A strong alternative to "on first time" is "for the first time", which is generally preferred in most contexts.

Is it better to say "on first time" or "for the first time"?

In most cases, "for the first time" is preferred over "on first time" due to its wider acceptance and clarity. However, in specific instances, "on first time" might be acceptable, particularly when describing regulations around first experiences of something.

Can "on first time" be used interchangeably with "at first"?

While both phrases relate to the beginning of an experience, they are not always interchangeable. "At first" often implies a change or contrast later on, while "on first time" simply refers to the initial occurrence. If you want to imply change, better use "at first".